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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

¨ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file numbers: 333-119696 and 333-114924

 

 

Norcraft Holdings, L.P.

Norcraft Companies, L.P.

(Exact names of registrants as specified in their certificates of limited partnership)

 

 

 

Delaware   75-3132727
Delaware   36-4231718

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3020 Denmark Avenue, Suite 100

Eagan, MN 55121

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(800) 297-0661

(Registrants’ Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrants’ knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   ¨    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   x    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates in the case of Norcraft Companies, L.P. is $0 and in the case of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. is approximately $1.2 million.

This Form 10-K is a combined annual report being filed separately by two registrants: Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and Norcraft Companies, L.P. Unless the context indicates otherwise, any reference in this report to “Holdings” refers to Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and any reference to “Norcraft” refers to Norcraft Companies, L.P., the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Holdings. The “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Norcraft Holdings, L.P., together with Norcraft Companies, L.P.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Table of Contents

 

           Page
PART I.      

Item 1.

   Business    3

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    7

Item 2.

   Properties    14

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    15

Item 4.

   Reserved    15
PART II.      

Item 5.

   Market For Registrants’ Common Equity and Related Equity Holder Matters and Issuers’ Purchases of Equity Securities    16

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    16

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    29

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    29

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    29

Item 9A(T).

   Controls and Procedures    30

Item 9B.

   Other Information    31
PART III.      

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    32

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    35

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Equity Holder Matters    43

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence    45

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    46
PART IV.      

Item15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    47

This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and Norcraft Companies, L.P. Each Registrant hereto is filing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this annual report that relates to such Registrant. Each Registrant hereto is not filing any information that does not relate to such Registrant, and therefore makes no representation as to any such information.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

OUR COMPANY

We are a leader in manufacturing, assembling and finishing kitchen and bathroom cabinetry in the U.S. We provide our customers with a single source for a broad range of high-quality cabinetry, including stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets manufactured in both framed and frameless, or full access, construction. We market our products through six brands: Mid Continent CabinetryTM, Norcraft Cabinetry®, UltraCraft®, StarMark Cabinetry®, FieldstoneTM and Brookwood®. With the exception of Norcraft Cabinetry, each of these brands represents a distinct line of cabinetry and has been in operation for over 20 years, with Mid Continent, our original brand, having been established in 1966. In 2008, our Winnipeg, Canada facility completed the transition to the production of cabinets for sale into the Canadian market under the Norcraft Canada brand. We believe each brand is well recognized and highly respected throughout the industry for its attractive style, flexibility, quality and value.

We are a single source provider of one of the most comprehensive product offerings in the industry, with national brands across a broad range of price points, styles, materials and customization levels. Our product offering was developed through both strategic acquisitions and internal development. We continuously enhance existing products and add new products to support our brands and meet the changing demands of our customers. We believe our multi brand strategy, and the resultant differentiated products across various price points, provides us with a competitive advantage. UltraCraft is our semi-custom full access cabinet line. StarMark and Brookwood are our semi-custom framed cabinet lines. Fieldstone is our high-end semi-custom and custom framed cabinet line. Finally, Mid Continent Cabinetry and Norcraft Cabinetry comprise our stock and semi-custom framed cabinet lines. Through these brands, we currently offer more than 188,000 door and finish combinations for wood, thermofoil, high-pressure laminate and melamine cabinets ranging in average price from $100 to $500 per cabinet. With this broad range of cabinetry products, we are able to compete successfully in multiple segments of the market. We believe that during the year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 56% of our net sales were to the home repair and remodeling market and approximately 44% were to the new construction market.

We sell our products primarily to kitchen and bathroom cabinetry dealers. For the year ended December 31, 2009, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry dealers accounted for 67% of our net sales, wholesale retailers, or wholetailers, accounted for 6%, catalog stores accounted for 17% and home builders accounted for 10% of net sales. We believe our focus on kitchen and cabinetry dealers enhances our ability to sell our custom and semi-custom cabinet offering. We have an extensive network of over 1,900 active customers and 121 internal and independent sales representatives (of which 23 sell more than one brand). We have national distribution capabilities for all of our brands through six manufacturing facilities, three service and distribution centers, four warehouses and three retail locations strategically located throughout the U.S.

We have been affected by the significant down-turn in our industry and have experienced a significant decrease in sales. However, we continue to believe that our broad product line coupled with our new product offerings, new customer additions, primary focus on the dealer channel, delivery of quality customer service and investment in manufacturing capacity provides a strong platform to weather the down-turn and return to growth in sales and profitability.

This annual report is that of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. (“Holdings”) and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries Norcraft Companies, L.P. (“Norcraft”). Holdings had no activity prior to its acquisition of Norcraft Companies L.L.C. (the predecessor company of Norcraft) on October 21, 2003 (the “Acquisition”). Norcraft is a separate public reporting company, and a 100% owned indirect subsidiary of Holdings.

We have one reportable segment, consisting of its three divisions (Mid Continent, UltraCraft and StarMark) and one subsidiary (Norcraft Canada Corporation). As they all have similar products, production processes, types of customers, distribution methods and economic characteristics and operate in identical positions with regards to regulatory requirements, we have deemed it appropriate to aggregate them into one reportable segment.

OUR PRODUCTS

We offer a broad product line that encompasses a complete range of price points, styles, materials and customization levels. Our product offering includes stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets. We offer cabinets in both framed and full access construction and offer more than 188,000 door and finish combinations for wood, thermofoil, high-pressure laminate and melamine cabinets.

Our business is conducted through four business divisions: Mid Continent Cabinetry, UltraCraft Cabinetry, StarMark Cabinetry (which includes the StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood brands) and Norcraft Canada. Within these divisions, we market our products through six brands: Mid Continent, Norcraft, UltraCraft, StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood. Mid Continent is our original brand, dating back to 1966. The UltraCraft brand, acquired by us in 2000, was established in 1986. The StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood brands were acquired by us in 2002. The StarMark and Fieldstone brands were established in 1978.

 

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The Brookwood brand was established in the mid-1980s to differentiate products sold through large home centers. Today, the Brookwood brand is sold only through a catalog sales organization. Each brand represents a distinct product line with little or no overlap. As a result, we are able to aggressively market each of our brands to a broad range of customers without significantly competing with our other brands. We believe our attention to brand positioning provides an advantage over some of our larger competitors who offer multiple brands in the same price point.

MID CONTINENT CABINETRY

The Mid Continent and Norcraft brands comprise our Mid Continent Cabinetry division. Mid Continent manufactures a broad range of stock framed cabinetry, offering 91 door styles and approximately 835 door and finish combinations. The Mid Continent product offering includes two distinct product lines: Signature Series and Pro Series, which are differentiated by door style and finish, as well as design options and construction features. Norcraft Cabinetry includes only Signature Series cabinets. Mid Continent’s products accounted for approximately 54% of our sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Signature Series

Mid Continent’s Signature Series, the division’s most popular product line, provides features and customization options comparable to a semi-custom product at price points competitive with stock cabinetry. The Signature Series offers numerous door style selections in various wood species with multiple door and finish combinations. In addition, the Signature Series offers a wide variety of construction upgrades and design options, such as plywood sides and full-extension, dovetail maple drawers, for added style and design. We believe that our Signature Series cabinetry appeals to consumers undertaking remodeling projects, who seek superior design flexibility and attractive appearance relative to stock cabinetry and lower cost and shorter lead-times compared to semi-custom and custom cabinetry. We also believe we appeal to home builders who seek cabinetry that differentiates their homes and gives home buyers the look and feel of custom cabinetry at an affordable price.

Pro Series

Mid Continent’s Pro Series is designed for the value-conscious customer. The Pro Series is manufactured in high quantities and a limited range of finishes with few modification options. We believe that our Pro Series cabinetry primarily appeals to builders who are seeking products for single family and multi-unit dwellings.

ULTRACRAFT CABINETRY

UltraCraft manufactures a full range of stock and semi-custom wall, base, tall, vanity and specialty cabinets. UltraCraft offers 88 door styles and over 11,200 door and finish combinations.

UltraCraft cabinets are full access, offering true full-overlay doors with concealed hinges and functional hardware. Full access cabinets provide flush, furniture-style, finished ends and provide greater storage space than traditional framed cabinets. The UltraCraft product offering is comprised of three distinct product lines: Destiny, Vision and Entrée, each of which are differentiated by features, finish, color, style selection, design options and price. UltraCraft’s products accounted for approximately 12% of our sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Destiny Line

UltraCraft’s Destiny line is our high-end semi-custom full access product offering with extensive customization options. Destiny cabinets include thousands of door and finish combinations constructed of wood, thermofoil, acrilux, metal and melamine. Over the years, we have continued to significantly expand Destiny’s product offering, adding new wood species, door styles and finishes. Destiny line products are targeted at affluent, established customers who desire upscale, smartly designed, fully-featured cabinets.

Vision Line

Ultracraft’s Vision line includes nine door styles and seventeen Italian “Eurotek” veneer finish combinations, a unique technology of an Italian manufacturer. The Vision manufacturing process utilizes this state of the art technology to create a high-end semi-custom style and look at a mid-range price. As a result, we believe our Vision line products are well positioned to target younger, more fashion-oriented consumers.

Entrée Line

UltraCraft’s Entrée line is value priced full access cabinetry manufactured in high quantities and in a limited range of sizes and styles, with few modification options. Entrée cabinets are manufactured using  5/8 inch melamine board with full edgebanding, and as such are a higher-quality product than most entry level cabinets. Entrée cabinets are targeted to be sold primarily to builders for use in new construction projects.

 

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STARMARK CABINETRY

The StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood brands collectively comprise our StarMark Cabinetry division, offering 495 door styles and more than 175,000 door and finish combinations. This division provides high quality, attractively designed semi-custom cabinets incorporating many features of custom cabinetry at a lower price. StarMark Cabinetry collectively accounted for approximately 28% of our sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

StarMark

StarMark is semi-custom framed kitchen and bath cabinetry targeted at both middle and upper income consumers. Kitchens are personalized for the homeowner’s lifestyle and designed by trained professionals who are experienced in using the depth of the StarMark product line to achieve a unique look and value investment for the home.

Fieldstone

Fieldstone is our higher-end, semi-custom framed cabinetry brand. This brand features an exclusive selection of products, finishes and modifications above and beyond what is available in the StarMark brand. Each kitchen is individually designed and accented by industry experts who use Fieldstone modifications, migration and exclusive finishes to achieve a custom room for their clients without a premium price. Fieldstone’s products are targeted at both middle and upper income consumers.

Brookwood

Brookwood cabinets are semi-custom, framed cabinets. Brookwood Cabinets are extensively modified and personalized for each homeowner. Brookwood products are targeted at both middle and upper income consumers.

NORCRAFT CANADA

Our Canadian division markets through its own Canadian version of the Norcraft brand, offering 62 door styles and 683 door and finish combinations. Cabinet production at this division began near the end of 2007, and product offerings and marketing efforts are still developing. Norcraft Canada’s frameless cabinets, so far, are available in a limited range of finishes with few modification options, appealing to home builders who are seeking products for single family and multi-unit dwellings. Norcraft Canada’s products accounted for approximately 6% of our sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

MANUFACTURING

We operate six manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our largest facility, in Newton, Kansas, is vertically integrated, enabling it to fully assemble cabinet doors, as well as perform machining, assembly and finishing operations for oak and other wood species. Our five remaining plants are primarily machining, assembly and finishing operations. At all of our sites, prior to assembly, rough milled lumber is machined. Panels, shelves, drawers, drawer fronts, doors, floors and back parts are then assembled. The cabinetry is then finished (sanded, stained, varnished and cured) and then assembled. Hardware is then added, and the final product is inspected, packaged and staged for shipment. Our products are made to order and not to stock and accordingly, our finished goods inventory levels are low. Following production at one of our facilities, the finished product is shipped to our customers either directly or indirectly or via one of our three distribution centers.

Newton, Kansas along with Cottonwood, Minnesota and Lynchburg, Virginia are Mid Continent facilities, with Cottonwood and Lynchburg receiving doors manufactured by Newton and outsourcing their rough mill production of raw materials to third party vendors. Our facility in Winnipeg, Canada was producing wood components which were used by the other Mid Continent manufacturing plants. During the first quarter of 2008, our Winnipeg facility completed the transition to the production of cabinets for sale into the Canadian market under the Norcraft Canada brand name. Our Liberty, North Carolina facility is an UltraCraft facility, and our Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility is a StarMark facility, producing StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood cabinets. Liberty and Sioux Falls each outsource rough mill production. Liberty outsources door manufacturing in all wood species to third party vendors while Sioux Falls builds approximately 300 doors per day.

We are currently increasing the level of insourcing of products currently purchased from third parties. Our StarMark division is insourcing an increasing amount of door production that will result in savings from the amounts formerly paid to third parties for these products.

SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

We sell our products principally through our network of internal and independent sales representatives and three Kitchen and Bath Ideas retail stores. The majority of our sales are through our sales representatives, who cover all areas of the U.S., and with whom we

 

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believe we have established strong relationships by providing superior customer service, timely delivery and quality products at competitive pricing.

Our sales and marketing strategy is focused on distributing our products primarily to kitchen and bath dealers and wholetailers. We believe that the dealer and wholetailer channels accounted for over 60% of U.S. cabinet industry sales in 2007. In certain markets, we also sell our products directly to builders. We have developed strong relationships with our dealers by delivering superior customer service, accurate and timely deliveries, quality products and competitive pricing. We believe these relationships provide us an advantage as dealers often influence the consumer’s decision at the point-of-sale, particularly since consumers are generally not familiar with a specific brand or style of cabinetry prior to their interaction with the dealer.

We have national distribution capabilities for all of our brands and our net sales are balanced throughout the U.S. In addition, we continually monitor the sales volume and credit worthiness of our dealers to further enhance our network and we aim to maximize the sales potential of our customers by providing frequent dealer training, extensive product literature and attractive displays.

We also distribute our products through other channels on a limited basis, including national galleries, our Kitchen and Bath Ideas retail stores, a catalog sales organization and other distributors. Our retail stores, which represented approximately 2.2% of our overall revenues in 2009, sell products from each of our divisions, as well as kitchen appliances, countertops and other kitchen and bath items.

CUSTOMERS

We primarily sell our products to kitchen and bathroom cabinetry dealers and wholesale retailers, or wholetailers, as well as directly to home builders. We have an extensive network of over 1,900 active customers. Our largest customer in 2009 accounted for approximately 17.2% of our sales, and our largest 10 customers accounted for approximately 35.2% of sales during such time. Our customers sell our products in the repair and remodeling and new home construction markets. Other than through our retail locations, we do not generally sell our products directly to home owners.

We seek to attract and retain customers by:

 

   

delivering our products on time, in the specification and quantity ordered;

 

   

producing a quality product offering that is regularly updated with new introductions;

 

   

providing superior customer service and product warranties;

 

   

supporting dealer and distributor employees through providing cabinet displays, extensive educational programs and substantial promotional materials; and

 

   

utilizing a professional, nationwide network of sales representatives who have close relationships with desirable dealers.

COMPETITION

The U.S. cabinet industry is large and fragmented, with numerous cabinet manufacturers competing for an estimated $14.3 billion in sales in 2008. Shipments increased from $12.5 billion in 2002 to $17.0 billion in 2007, a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. We believe that shipments declined to approximately $12.4 billion in 2009 and will begin to recover to approximately $17.6 billion in 2014.

Our competitors manufacture stock, semi-custom and custom cabinetry. There are relatively low capital requirements for cabinetry assembly, and therefore it is relatively easy for small competitors to enter the industry. Many of our competitors compete on a local or regional basis, but others, like us, compete on a national basis as well. Our competitors include large consolidated operations which house their manufacturing facilities in large and efficient plants as well as relatively small, local cabinetwork manufacturers. Moreover, companies in other building products industries may compete with us.

We believe that we compete favorably with other manufacturers due to the breadth of our product offerings, production capacity and delivery and service.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Norcraft is the owner of various U.S. federal trademark registrations (®) and registration applications (TM), including for the following marks referred to in this report pursuant to applicable U.S. intellectual property laws: “Norcraft Companies®,” “StarMark Cabinetry®,” “FieldstoneTM,” “Fieldstone CabinetryTM,” “Kitchen and Bath Ideas®,” “UltraCraft®,” “Vision®,” “Destiny®,” “Entree®,” “Mid Continent CabinetryTM,” “Mid Continent Pro SeriesTM,” “Mid Continent Signature SeriesTM,” “Norcraft Cabinetry®,” and the registered Norcraft Cabinetry logo, Norcraft Companies, L.L.C. logo, and StarMark logo.

 

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We rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights and trade secret protection, employee and third party non-disclosure agreements and domain name registrations to protect our intellectual property. We sell many of our products under a number of registered and unregistered trademarks, which we believe are widely recognized in the cabinetry industry. With respect to proprietary know-how, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, and the steps we have taken may not prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property. The disclosure or misappropriation of our intellectual property could harm our ability to protect our rights and our competitive position. To date, we have not relied on patents in operating our business.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2009, we had 1,607 employees including 1,344 manufacturing employees. Of our total employees, 790 were at Mid Continent and corporate, 199 were at UltraCraft, 458 were at StarMark and 160 were at Norcraft Canada. None of our employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreements.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

Our operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of regulated materials into the environment. Permits are required for certain of our operations, and these permits are subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations may result in the payment of fines or the entry of injunctions, or both. We may also incur liability for investigation and clean-up of soil or groundwater contamination on or emanating from current or formerly owned and operated properties, or at offsite locations at which regulated materials are located where we are identified as a responsible party. We do not believe we will be required under existing environmental laws and enforcement policies to expend amounts that will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The requirements of such laws and enforcement policies, however, have generally become more stringent over time. Also, discovery of currently unknown conditions could require responses that could result in significant costs. Accordingly, we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with environmental laws and enforcement policies.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks. Some of these risks are described below, and you should take these risks into account in evaluating us or any investment decision involving us. This section does not describe all risks applicable to us, our industry or our business, and it is intended only as a summary of the material risk factors.

Our level of indebtedness and significant debt service obligations could adversely affect our financial condition or our ability to fulfill our obligations and make it more difficult for us to fund our operations.

As of December 31, 2009, we had $233.7 million of indebtedness outstanding, including $180.0 million of 10  1/2% senior secured second lien notes due 2015 of Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp. (a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Norcraft), or the senior secured second lien notes, and $53.7 million of 9  3/4% senior discount notes due 2012 of Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. (a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Holdings), or the senior discount notes. In addition, on such date, we had approximately $5.4 million of outstanding letters of credit.

Because of our high level of indebtedness:

 

   

we may have difficulty satisfying our obligations with respect to the senior secured second lien notes and senior discount notes;

 

   

we may have difficulty obtaining financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes;

 

   

we will need to use a substantial portion of our available cash flow to pay interest and principal on our debt and to make distributions to pay interest on the senior discount notes, which will reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations and other business activities;

 

   

our debt level increases our vulnerability to general economic downturns and adverse industry conditions;

 

   

our debt level could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and in our industry in general;

 

   

our leverage could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

 

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we may not have sufficient funds available, and our debt level may restrict us from raising the funds necessary, to repurchase all of the senior secured second lien notes and senior discount notes, as applicable, tendered to us upon the occurrence of a change of control, which would constitute an event of default under each of the senior secured second lien notes and senior discount notes; and

 

   

our failure to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt instruments which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and limit our ability to incur debt and sell assets, could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business or prospects.

For a more detailed discussion of our debt, please see Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules,” Note 6, “Long-term debt.”

Despite our existing level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries will be able to incur more indebtedness. This could further exacerbate the risks described above, including our ability to service our existing indebtedness.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. In December 2009, we entered into a new asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL facility”) that provides us with additional borrowings of up to $25.0 million, subject to a current borrowing base of approximately $14.3 million. Although our ABL facility, the indenture governing the senior discount notes and the indenture governing the senior secured second lien notes contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, such restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and under certain circumstances indebtedness incurred in compliance with such restrictions could be substantial. For example, we may incur additional debt to, among other things, finance future acquisitions, expand through internal growth, fund our working capital needs, comply with regulatory requirements, respond to competition, refinance the senior discount notes or for general financial reasons alone. As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under our ABL facility; however, there were approximately $5.4 million letters of credit outstanding under our ABL facility, and therefore, our total availability under the ABL facility as of December 31, 2009 is approximately $8.9 million. To the extent new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the risks described above would increase.

To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements will be realized on schedule or that future borrowings will be available to us under the ABL facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to pay interest on the senior discount notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional equity capital or refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial cash flow problems and might be required to sell material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We cannot assure you as to the timing of such asset sales or the proceeds which we could realize from such sales and we cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including our ABL facility, the senior discount notes and the senior secured second lien notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. are the sole obligors under the senior discount notes. Holdings’ subsidiaries, including Norcraft, do not guarantee Holdings’ obligations under the senior discount notes and do not have any obligation with respect to the senior discount notes; the senior discount notes are effectively subordinated to the debt and liabilities of Holdings’ subsidiaries, including Norcraft, and are effectively subordinated to any of our future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets secured by such debt.

Holdings has no operations of its own and derives all of its revenues and cash flow from its subsidiaries. Holdings’ subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and other than Norcraft Capital Corp., have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the exchange notes or to make any funds available to pay those amounts, whether by dividend, distribution, loan or other payments.

 

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The senior discount notes are structurally subordinated to all debt and liabilities, including trade payables, of Holdings’ subsidiaries, including Norcraft, and are effectively subordinated to any of Holdings’ future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate debt of Holdings’ subsidiaries (other than Norcraft Capital Corp., which has no additional debt) was $180.0 million.

Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. rely on cash distributions from Norcraft to make interest payments on the senior discount notes.

Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. conduct all of their business operations through Norcraft and its subsidiaries and currently rely on distributions from Norcraft in order to pay cash interest on the senior discount notes. In 2009, Norcraft distributed approximately $15.7 million to Holdings to enable it to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes. In addition, in December 2009, a portion of the net proceeds from our senior secured second lien notes offering was distributed to Holdings to allow Holdings to repurchase a portion of its senior discount notes. Under the terms of the indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft may make distributions of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate to Holdings or Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. to pay interest and principal on our debt issued by them. We currently anticipate that the distributions permitted under the indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes will be sufficient to allow Holdings to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes through September, 2012. If Norcraft is not permitted to make cash distributions to Holdings, Holdings will be required to raise additional proceeds through equity or debt financings in order to fund such obligations. Such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

Increases in interest rates and the reduced availability of financing for home improvements may cause our sales and profitability to decrease.

In general, demand for home improvement products may be adversely affected by increases in interest rates and the reduced availability of financing. Also, trends in the financial industry which influence the requirements used by lenders to evaluate potential buyers can result in reduced availability of financing. If interest rates or lending requirements increase and consequently, the ability of prospective buyers to finance purchases of home improvement products is adversely affected, our business, financial condition and results of operations may also be adversely impacted and the impact may be material.

The home improvement and home building industries are undergoing a significant downturn, and the duration and ultimate severity of these downturns are uncertain. Further downturns in these industries or the economy could negatively affect the demand for and pricing of our products and our operating results.

A significant part of our business is affected by levels of home improvement (including repair and remodeling). The home improvement industry may be significantly affected by changes in economic and other conditions such as gross domestic product levels, employment levels, demographic trends, availability of financing, interest rates and consumer confidence. A decrease in employment levels, consumer confidence or the availability of financing could negatively affect the demand for and pricing of our products which would adversely affect our results of operations. For the past few years, the conditions within the home improvement industry have been extremely challenging as demand for home improvement continued to decline in most of our markets. The challenges facing the home improvement industry may lead to a further decrease in demand for our products.

A significant part of our business is also affected by levels of new home construction, as our products are often purchased in connection with the construction of a new home. Like the home improvement industry, over the past few years, the home building industry has undergone a significant downturn, marked by declines in the demand for new homes, an oversupply of new and existing homes on the market and a reduction in the availability of financing for homebuyers. The oversupply of existing homes has been exacerbated by a growing number of home mortgage foreclosures, which is further contributing to downward pressure on home prices. Fewer new home buyers may lead to a decrease in demand for our products.

We believe that housing market conditions will continue to be challenging and may deteriorate further. We cannot predict the duration or ultimate severity of these challenging conditions. Continued depressed activity levels in consumer spending for home improvement and new home construction will continue to adversely affect our results of operations and our financial position. Furthermore, continued economic turmoil may cause unanticipated shifts in consumer preferences and purchasing practices and in the business models and strategies of our customers. Such shifts may alter the nature and prices of products demanded by the end consumer and our customers and could adversely affect our operating performance.

 

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The reduction in availability of mortgage financing has adversely affected our business, and the duration and ultimate severity of the effects are uncertain.

During the past few years, the mortgage lending industry has experienced significant instability due to, among other things, defaults on subprime loans and a resulting decline in the market value of such loans. In light of these developments, lenders, investors, regulators and other third parties questioned the adequacy of lending standards and other credit requirements for several loan programs made available to borrowers in recent years. This has led to reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, tightened credit requirements, reduced liquidity and increased credit risk premiums. A deterioration in credit quality among subprime and other nonconforming loans has caused almost all lenders to eliminate subprime mortgages and most other loan products that are not conforming loans, FHA/VA-eligible loans or jumbo loans (which meet conforming underwriting guidelines other than loan size). Fewer loan products and tighter loan qualifications have made it more difficult for some borrowers to finance the purchase of new homes or repair or remodel existing homes. These factors have served to reduce the demand for our products and have adversely affected our operations and financial results, and the duration and severity of the effects are uncertain.

We believe that the liquidity provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the mortgage industry is very important to the housing market. These entities have reported substantial losses as a result of deteriorating housing and credit market conditions. These losses have reduced their equity, which may limit their ability to acquire mortgages. The federal government has limited the size of the home-loan portfolios and operations of these government-sponsored enterprises. Any further limitations or restrictions on the availability of the financing or on the liquidity provided by them could adversely affect interest rates, mortgage availability and sales of our products.

Continued volatility and reduction in liquidity in the financial markets have adversely affected our business, and the duration and ultimate severity of the effects are uncertain.

During fiscal 2008 and 2009, the credit markets and the financial services industry experienced significant disruptions, characterized by the bankruptcy and failure of several financial institutions and severe limitations on credit availability. The disruptions in the financial markets have adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, our operations in a variety of ways. The financial stability of certain of our customers has been negatively impacted, which has resulted in increased bad debt expense for us. A prolonged continuation of adverse economic conditions would cause additional financial distress for our customers and could compromise the financial condition of our suppliers, which could result in non-performance by certain of our suppliers. In addition, our own borrowing costs are increasing and our access to capital markets may be reduced and it may become more difficult for us to obtain financing to fund operations or to refinance our existing debt obligations. The disruption in the global financial markets has also impacted some of the financial institutions with which we do business.

In addition, our borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in significant part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. In 2009, the Company’s Corporate Family rating was lowered by Moody’s Global Credit Research to B2 and the Company’s Corporate Credit rating was lowered by Standard & Poor’s to B-. This decrease and any further decrease in our ratings could increase our cost of borrowing and/or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing in the future.

Increased prices for raw materials or finished goods used in our products could increase our cost of sales and decrease demand for our products, which could adversely affect our revenue or profitability.

Our profitability is affected by the prices of the raw materials and finished goods used in the manufacturing of our products. These prices may fluctuate based on a number of factors beyond our control, including, among others, changes in supply and demand, general economic conditions, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs, currency exchange rates and, in some cases, government regulation. Continued increases could adversely affect our profitability or revenues. We do not have long-term supply contracts for the raw materials and finished goods used in the manufacturing of our products; however, we enter into pricing agreements with certain customers which fix their pricing for specified periods ranging from one to twelve months. Significant increases in the prices of raw materials or finished goods could adversely affect our profit margins, especially if we are not able to recover these costs by increasing the prices we charge our customers for our products.

Interruptions in deliveries of raw materials or finished goods could adversely affect our revenue or profitability.

Our dependency upon regular deliveries from particular suppliers means that interruptions or stoppages in such deliveries could adversely affect our operations until arrangements with alternate suppliers could be made. If any of our suppliers were unable to deliver materials to us for an extended period of time, as the result of financial difficulties, catastrophic events affecting their facilities or other factors beyond our control, or if we were unable to negotiate acceptable terms for the supply of materials with these or alternative suppliers, our business could suffer. We may not be able to find acceptable alternatives, and any such alternatives

 

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could result in increased costs for us. Even if acceptable alternatives are found, the process of locating and securing such alternatives might be disruptive to our business. Extended unavailability of a necessary raw material or finished good could cause us to cease manufacturing of one or more products for a period of time. In addition, the manufacturing process for UltraCraft’s Vision product line includes components which are made by an Italian manufacturer using proprietary technology. The manufacturer’s failure to deliver components could cause us to cease manufacturing the Vision line products.

Our international sourcing subjects us to additional risks and costs, which may differ in each country in which we do business and may cause our profitability to decline.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 30% of our purchases of raw materials were from vendors outside of the U.S. We may decide to increase our international sourcing in the future. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including: (i) introduction of non-native invasive organisms into new environments, (ii) recessionary trends in international markets; (iii) legal and regulatory changes and the burdens and costs of our compliance with a variety of laws, including trade restrictions and tariffs; (iv) difficulties in enforcing intellectual property rights; (v) increases in transportation costs or transportation delays; (vi) work stoppages and labor strikes; (vii) fluctuations in exchange rates (particularly the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies); and (viii) political unrest, terrorism and economic instability. If any of these or other factors were to render the conduct of our business in a particular country undesirable or impractical, our business and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Environmental requirements applicable to our manufacturing and distribution facilities may impose significant environmental compliance costs and liabilities, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

Our facilities are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to pollution and the protection of the environment, including those governing emissions to air, discharges to water, storage, treatment and disposal of waste, remediation of contaminated sites and protection of worker health and safety. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements. However, our efforts to comply with environmental requirements do not remove the risk that we may be held liable, or incur fines or penalties, and that the amount of liability, fines or penalties may be material, for, among other things, releases of hazardous substances occurring on or emanating from current or formerly owned or operated properties or any associated offsite disposal location, or for contamination discovered at any of our properties from activities conducted by previous occupants.

Changes in environmental laws and regulations or the discovery of previously unknown contamination or other liabilities relating to our properties and operations could result in significant environmental liabilities which could make it difficult to pay the interest or principal amount of the senior discount notes and senior secured second lien notes when due. In addition, we might incur significant capital and other costs to comply with increasingly stringent air emission control laws and enforcement policies which would decrease our cash flow available to service our indebtedness.

We may not effectively compete in the highly fragmented and very competitive cabinet industry market, which may adversely affect our revenues.

We operate in the highly fragmented and very competitive cabinetry industry. Our competitors include national and local cabinetry manufacturers. These can be large consolidated operations which house their manufacturing facilities in large and efficient plants, as well as relatively small, local cabinetmakers. Some of our competitors have achieved substantially more market penetration in certain of the markets in which we operate. Some of our competitors have greater resources available and are less highly leveraged, which may provide them with greater financial flexibility. Moreover, companies in other building products industries may compete with us. To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in manufacturing, customer service and support, marketing and our dealer network. We may have to adjust the prices of some of our products to stay competitive, which would reduce our revenues. We may not have sufficient resources to continue to make such investments or maintain our competitive position within each of the markets we serve.

Manufacturing or assembly realignments as a result of our continued review of operations may result in a decrease in our near-term earnings or not result in cost reductions as expected, which would harm our profitability.

We continually review our manufacturing and assembly operations and sourcing capabilities. Effects of periodic manufacturing realignments and cost savings programs could result in a decrease in our near-term earnings until the expected cost reductions are achieved or may not result in expected cost savings at all. Such programs may include the consolidation and integration of facilities, functions, systems and procedures. Certain products may also be shifted from one manufacturing or assembly facility to another. Such actions may not be accomplished as quickly as anticipated and the expected cost reductions may not be achieved, either of which would harm our profitability.

 

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Increases in the cost of labor, union organizing activity and work stoppages at our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers could materially affect our financial performance.

Our business is labor intensive, and, as a result, our financial performance is affected by the availability of qualified personnel and the cost of labor. Currently, none of our employees are represented by labor unions. Strikes or other types of conflicts with personnel could arise or we may become a target for union organizing activity. Some of our direct and indirect suppliers have unionized work forces. Strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns experienced by these suppliers could result in slowdowns or closures of facilities where components of our products are manufactured. In addition, organizations responsible for shipping our products may be impacted by occasional strikes staged by the Teamsters Union. Any interruption in the production or delivery of our products could reduce sales of our products and increase our costs.

We could face potential product liability claims relating to products we manufacture or distribute which could result in significant costs and liabilities, which would reduce our profitability.

We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of any of our products results in personal injury or property damage. In the event that any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to recall or redesign such products, which would result in significant unexpected costs. Any insurance we maintain may not be available on terms acceptable to us or such coverage may not be adequate for liabilities actually incurred. Further, any claim or product recall could result in adverse publicity against us, which could adversely affect our sales or increase our costs.

We are dependent on certain key personnel, the loss of whom could materially affect our financial performance and prospects.

Our continued success depends to a large extent upon the continued services of our senior management and certain key employees. Our chief executive officer, Mark Buller, has over 22 years of experience in the cabinetry industry. Our other senior executives have an average of over 22 years experience in the building product industry. The loss of the experience and services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our financial performance and our results of operations.

If we cannot adequately protect our intellectual property rights we may lose exclusivity in our brands, which could reduce our sales and revenue.

We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, domain name registration, copyright and trade secret laws in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. We believe that brand recognition is one of several important factors in a consumer’s choice of cabinetry. Current protections may not adequately safeguard our intellectual property and we may incur significant costs to defend our intellectual property rights, which may harm our operating results. Although we are not aware that any of our intellectual property rights infringes upon the proprietary rights of third parties, third parties may make such claims in the future. Any infringement claims, whether with or without merit, could be time consuming to defend against, result in costly litigation or damages, undermine the exclusivity and value of our brands, decrease sales or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements that may be on terms that could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our financial performance and our results of operations. In addition, we may be forced to pursue potential claims relating to the protection of certain products and intellectual property rights. Such claims could be time consuming, expensive and divert resources.

We may in the future acquire related businesses, which we may not be able to successfully integrate, in which case we may be unable to recoup our investment in those acquisitions.

We may, from time to time, explore opportunities to acquire related businesses, some of which could be material to us. As of the date of this report, we have no agreements and are not in any discussions to acquire any material businesses or assets. If we do make acquisitions in the future, our ability to continue to grow will depend upon effectively integrating these acquired companies, achieving cost efficiencies and managing these businesses as part of our company. While we believe we have successfully integrated the operations we have acquired within the last eight years, we may not be able to effectively integrate newly acquired companies or successfully implement appropriate operational, financial and management systems and controls to achieve the benefits expected to result from these acquisitions. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquisitions, we may not be able to recoup our investment in those acquisitions. Our efforts to integrate these businesses could be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, such as

 

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general economic conditions and increased competition. In addition, the process of integrating these businesses could cause the interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our existing business. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the integration of these businesses could negatively impact our business and results of operations. Further, the economic benefits that we anticipate from these acquisitions may not develop.

We may inherit significant unexpected third-party liabilities and product warranty claims from operations that we have acquired or will acquire in the future, which would increase our costs.

We may be subject to unexpected claims and liabilities arising from acquisitions we have made or may make in the future. We have acquired operations in the past and may acquire more operations in the future. Claims or liabilities may include matters involving third party liabilities and warranty claims against those operations we have acquired or may acquire. These claims and liabilities could be costly to defend, could be material in amount and may exceed either the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial resources of the indemnifying parties.

The loss of or deterioration of relationships with our sales representatives could adversely affect our sales and profits.

We depend on the services of independent sales representatives to sell the majority of our products and provide services and aftermarket support to our customers. Our sales representative agreements are typically cancelable by the sales representative after a short notice period, if any at all. Furthermore, many of these sales representatives also sell our competitors’ products. The loss of a substantial number of these relationships, or our failure to maintain good relationships with these sales representatives, could materially reduce our sales and profits.

Changes in consumer preferences for cabinet designs and configurations, and our failure to respond to such changes, could adversely affect demand for our product and our results of operations.

The cabinetry industry in general is subject to changing consumer trends, demands and preferences. Our continued success depends largely on the introduction and acceptance by our customers of new product lines that respond to such trends, demands and preferences. Our organic growth has been driven in part by our frequent new product introductions. We may not be able to successfully develop and design new brands. Trends within the industry change often and our failure to anticipate, identify or react to changes in these trends could lead to, among other things, rejection of a new product line, reduced demand and price reductions for our products, and could adversely affect our sales.

Disruptions in our relationships with any one of our key customers could adversely affect our results of operations.

A substantial portion of our sales is derived from our top customers. During the year ended December 31, 2009, our largest customer accounted for 17.2% of our sales and our largest 10 customers accounted for approximately 35.2% of our sales during such time. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to generate similar levels of sales from our largest customers in the future. Should one or more of these customers substantially reduce their purchases from us, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

In the event of a catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, our business would be adversely affected.

While we manufacture our products in a large number of diversified facilities and maintain insurance covering our facilities, including business interruption insurance, a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of one of our key manufacturing facilities due to accident, labor issues, weather conditions, natural disaster or otherwise, whether short or long-term, could have a material adverse effect on us.

Goodwill and other intangibles represent a significant amount of our net worth, and a write-off could result in lower reported net income and a reduction of our net worth.

Future changes in the cost of capital, expected cash flows, or other factors may cause our goodwill to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against results of operations to write-off goodwill for the amount of impairment. If a significant write-off is required, the non-cash charge could have a material adverse effect on our reported results of operations and net worth in the period of any such write-off, provided that such write-off would not reduce our consolidated net income for the purposes of the indenture governing the senior secured second lien notes.

 

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In the event of consolidation of our dealers, through whom we primarily sell our products, pressure may be put on our operating margins, which could harm our profitability.

If our dealer base were to consolidate, competition for the business of fewer dealers would intensify. If we do not provide product offerings and price points that meet the needs of our dealers, or if we lose a substantial amount of our dealer base, our profitability could decrease.

We are controlled by our principal equity holders, which have the power to take unilateral action that could be adverse to the interests of holders of the senior discount notes and senior secured second lien notes.

Investors controlled by SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. and Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C., through their control of our general partner, control our affairs and policies. Circumstances may occur in which the interests of these equity holders could be in conflict with the interests of the holders of the senior discount notes and senior secured second lien notes. In addition, these equity holders may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to holders of the senior discount notes and senior secured second lien notes. See Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Equity Holder Matters” and Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.”

If we experience problems or defects in our products, we could be subject to liability and product performance warranty claims that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are exposed to potential liability and product performance warranty risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and sale of our products. While we currently maintain what we believe to be suitable liability insurance, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our insurance on acceptable terms or that our insurance will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. In the event of a claim against us, a lack of sufficient insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on us and our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if we maintain adequate insurance, any successful claim could materially and adversely affect our reputation and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 2. Properties

We lease our executive offices located in Eagan, Minnesota. We own six separate manufacturing facilities, three of which manufacture Mid Continent cabinets, one of which manufactures UltraCraft cabinets, one of which manufactures StarMark, Fieldstone and Brookwood cabinets and one of which manufactures Norcraft Canada cabinets. In addition, we lease seven other non-retail facilities which are used for service and distribution functions and storage. Finally, we lease two and own three retail stores that are engaged in the retail distribution of our products and other non-cabinet products of other industry participants.

 

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Each of our facilities, by function and division, is set forth in the table below:

 

Location

  

Owned/

Leased

   Approximate
Square Footage
  

Function

Eagan, Minnesota

   Leased    17,708    Headquarters

Cottonwood, Minnesota

   Owned    163,000    Manufacturing—Mid Continent

Lynchburg, Virginia

   Owned    147,600    Manufacturing—Mid Continent

Newton, Kansas

   Owned    268,600    Manufacturing—Mid Continent

Liberty, North Carolina

   Owned    213,500    Manufacturing—UltraCraft

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

   Owned    233,000    Manufacturing—StarMark

Winnipeg, Manitoba

   Owned    54,000    Manufacturing—Norcraft Canada

Livermore, California

   Leased    30,500    Distribution/Service Center

Tampa, Florida

   Leased    31,200    Distribution/Service Center

Gilbert, Arizona

   Leased    19,108    Distribution/Service Center

Liberty, North Carolina

   Leased    35,000    Warehouse

Newton, Kansas

   Leased    40,000    Warehouse

Lynchburg, Virginia

   Leased    5,175    Warehouse

Winnipeg, Manitoba

   Leased    40,000    Warehouse

Tampa, Florida(1)

   Leased    1,800    Kitchen and Bath Ideas Retail Store

Clearwater, Florida(1)

   Leased    1,600    Kitchen and Bath Ideas Retail Store

Colorado Springs, Colorado

   Owned    21,500    Kitchen and Bath Ideas Retail Store

Lynchburg, Virginia

   Owned    5,000    Kitchen and Bath Ideas Retail Store

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

   Owned    4,000    Kitchen and Bath Ideas Retail Store

 

(1) Property was subleased or is in the process of being subleased during the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

During the ordinary course of business, we have become and may in the future become subject to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings. All of the current legal actions and proceedings that we are a party to are of an ordinary or routine nature incidental to our operations, the resolution of which should not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We are not currently a party to any product liability claims. The majority of the pending legal proceedings involve claims for workers compensation. These claims are generally covered by insurance, but there can be no assurance that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any such liability.

 

Item 4. Reserved

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Equity Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Neither Holdings nor Norcraft has publicly traded stock. Holdings indirectly owns all of the outstanding equity interests in Norcraft. There are approximately 43 holders of equity interests in Holdings. Excluding tax distributions, Holdings made no distributions to its members in 2009 or 2008 and approximately $6.9 million in 2007.

Norcraft may make distributions to Holdings, subject to certain limitations, to permit Holdings to make further distributions to its equity holders to pay taxes on our net income allocated to them. Under the terms of the indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft may make distributions of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate to Holdings or Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. to pay interest and principal on our debt issued by them. Norcraft expects to make regular distributions to Holdings, subject to certain limitations, to permit Holdings to pay interest on its debt as well as to make further distributions to its equity holders to pay taxes on our net income allocated to them. Distributions to Holdings to pay interest for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $15.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. There were no tax distributions for the year ended December 31, 2009. Tax distributions for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected data presented below is derived from our audited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.

 

     Norcraft Holdings L.P.  
     Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 

(dollar amounts in thousands)

   2005    2006    2007    2008     2009  

Statement of Operations Data:

             

Net sales

   $ 404,639    $ 440,478    $ 394,042    $ 331,548      $ 246,804   

Cost of sales

     282,541      300,764      263,500      234,427        176,512   
                                     

Gross profit

     122,098      139,714      130,542      97,121        70,292   

Selling, general and administrative expense

     64,874      75,919      76,012      64,789        49,706   

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (1)

     —        —        —        73,938        —     
                                     

Income (loss) from operations

     57,224      63,795      54,530      (41,606     20,586   

Interest expense, net

     23,208      22,654      23,618      24,694        26,340   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     4,127      1,498      1,540      1,532        4,084   

Other, net

     220      150      200      151        1,678   
                                     

Total other expense

     27,555      24,302      25,358      26,377        32,102   

Net income (loss)

   $ 29,669    $ 39,493    $ 29,172    $ (67,983   $ (11,516
                                     
     (dollar amounts in thousands)  
     December 31,  
     2005    2006    2007    2008     2009  

Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 933    $ 3,928    $ 28,409    $ 59,406      $ 20,863   

Total assets

     372,157      368,802      383,077      315,013        264,584   

Total debt

     241,567      256,590      262,690      266,459        230,797   

Members’ equity subject to put request

     46,094      48,835      42,331      25,305        7,546   

Members’ equity (deficit)

     51,476      31,248      47,538      (4,166     2,487   

 

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     Norcraft Companies, L.P.
      Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,

(dollar amounts in thousands)

   2005    2006    2007    2008     2009

Statement of Operations Data:

             

Net sales

   $ 404,639    $ 440,478    $ 394,042    $ 331,548      $ 246,804

Cost of sales

     282,541      300,764      263,500      234,427        176,512
                                   

Gross profit

     122,098      139,714      130,542      97,121        70,292

Selling, general and administrative expense

     64,874      75,919      76,012      64,789        49,706

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (1)

     —        —        —        73,938        —  
                                   

Income (loss) from operations

     57,224      63,795      54,530      (41,606     20,586

Interest expense, net

     14,893      13,370      13,104      13,341        15,050

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     3,772      1,108      1,111      1,063        2,895

Other, net

     220      150      200      151        36
                                   

Total other expense

     18,885      14,628      14,415      14,555        17,981

Net income (loss)

   $ 38,339    $ 49,167    $ 40,115    $ (56,161   $ 2,605
                                   
     (dollar amounts in thousands)
     December 31,
     2005    2006    2007    2008     2009

Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 933    $ 4,038    $ 28,409    $ 59,406      $ 16,731

Total assets

     369,105      366,250      380,844      313,249        259,877

Total debt

     150,000      150,000      148,000      148,000        177,097

Members’ equity

     186,085      184,121      202,326      141,669        60,771

 

(1) During the fourth quarter of 2008, our actual earnings and expected future earnings decreased to a level that required us to perform additional analysis under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) to quantify the amount of impairment of goodwill and brand names. This analysis resulted in a total impairment charge of $73.9 million, of which, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

UNCERTAINTY OF FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This report contains “forward looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical acts included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of our company. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

These forward looking statements are based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us. They are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this report, including the risks outlined under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” will be important in determining future results.

Because of these factors, we caution that investors should not place undue reliance on any of our forward looking statements. Further, any forward looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and except as required by law we undertake no obligation to update any forward looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.

 

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COMPANY OVERVIEW

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

All of our operations are conducted through Norcraft which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings.

Our fiscal year is the calendar year ending December 31. References to “fiscal year” mean the year ending December 31. For example, “fiscal year 2009” or “fiscal 2009” means the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

GENERAL

We are a leader in manufacturing, assembling and finishing kitchen and bathroom cabinetry in the U.S. We provide our customers with a single source for a broad range of high-quality cabinetry, including stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets manufactured in both framed and frameless, or full access, construction. We market our products through six brands: Mid Continent CabinetryTM, Norcraft Cabinetry®, UltraCraft®, StarMark Cabinetry®, FieldstoneTM and Brookwood®. With the exception of Norcraft Cabinetry, each of these brands represents a distinct line of cabinetry and has been in operation for over 20 years, with Mid Continent, our original brand, having been established in 1966. In 2008, our Winnipeg, Canada facility completed the transition to the production of cabinets for sale into the Canadian market under the Norcraft Canada brand. We believe each brand is well recognized and highly respected throughout the industry for its attractive style, flexibility, quality and value.

We have been affected by the significant down-turn in our industry and have experienced a significant decrease in sales. During the fourth quarter of 2008, our actual earnings and expected future earnings decreased to a level to which we concluded that sufficient indicators existed to warrant an analysis of whether any portion of our goodwill or other intangible assets were impaired. We engaged an independent valuation firm to assist us in performing a review of the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets. Based on this independent valuation, which used a discounted cash flow valuation technique, we recognized an impairment charge of $73.9 million to our goodwill and other intangible assets in the fourth quarter of 2008. Of this charge, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, we continued to experience a slow-down in the number of incoming orders due to the industry-wide contraction in the U.S. housing market and the general economic slow-down. Our sales decreased 25.6% for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. However, net loss decreased 83.1% for Holdings and 104.4% for Norcraft for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008 mostly due to impairment charges in 2008 of $73.9 million. Additionally, the contraction in the market has caused us to be more aggressive with pricing and sales promotions. These sales incentives have reduced our gross profit margin percentages.

In December 2009, Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp. issued $180.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10  1/2% senior secured second lien notes due 2015. The net proceeds from this issuance were used to redeem our senior secured notes, and to pay for, together with cash on hand, the repurchase of $64.3 million aggregate principal amount of Holdings’ and Norcraft Capital Corp.’s senior discount notes. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $53.7 million principal amount of senior discount notes outstanding.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Net sales. Our net sales represent gross sales less deductions taken for sales returns, freight chargebacks and incentive rebate programs. Revenue is recorded upon delivery of product, which represents the point at which ownership transfers to the customer.

Cost of sales. Our cost of sales is comprised of the cost of raw materials and plant costs such as labor, packaging, utilities and other facility expenses. Dimensioned wood components, wood doors, particle board, thermofoil doors and veneer panels and plywood are the most significant raw materials we purchase. We also classify shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, trade promotions, advertising, commissions, amortization of expenses relating to our display cabinets installed at our customer locations, other marketing costs, general management, insurance, accounting, tax and legal expenses, management fees payable to our principal equity holders and other expenses. We expense advertising costs as incurred.

Other expenses. Our non-operating expenses consist of interest, amortization of deferred financing costs and various state and local taxes.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates which are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to us in that they are important to our financial statements and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of our financial statements.

Allowance for bad debts

Our customers operate in the repair and remodeling and new home construction markets and, accordingly, their creditworthiness is affected by cyclical trends and general conditions in those markets. During fiscal 2009 and 2008, the credit markets and the financial services industry have experienced significant disruptions, characterized by the bankruptcy and failure of several financial institutions and severe limitations on credit availability. The financial stability of certain of our customers has been negatively impacted, which has resulted in increased bad debt expense for us. A prolonged continuation of adverse economic conditions would cause additional financial distress for our customers. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited to some extent by our large number of customers and their geographic dispersion. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, one customer accounted for approximately 17.2% and 16.6%, respectively, of net sales. We generally do not require collateral from our customers, but do maintain allowances for the estimated uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on historical experience and specifically identified at-risk accounts. The adequacy of the allowance is evaluated on an ongoing, periodic basis and adjustments are made in the period in which a change in condition occurs.

Other intangible assets

Identifiable intangible assets consist of customer relationships. The customer relationship intangible asset is being amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 15 years based on historical and expected customer attrition rates. Straight-line amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of cost of the intangible asset to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting period.

Amortization expense related to customer relationships of $4.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is expected to be $4.5 million per year.

It is the Company’s policy to value intangible assets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Management reviews the valuation and amortization of intangible assets and the estimated useful lives of its identifiable intangible assets on a periodic basis, taking into consideration any events or circumstances which might result in diminished fair value or revised useful life. Management performed such a review in the fourth quarter of 2009 and no impairment was indicated.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill

Indefinite-lived assets are brand names, consisting of Mid Continent, UltraCraft, StarMark and Fieldstone, and are considered indefinite lived intangible assets. Indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized. Instead, the Company makes annual assessments, or as events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, separately from goodwill, to evaluate realizability of carrying values.

Our significant reporting units for the purpose of performing the impairment analysis tests for goodwill consist of Mid Continent, UltraCraft and StarMark. For the purpose of performing the required goodwill impairment tests, we primarily apply a present value (discounted cash flow) method to determine the fair value of the reporting units with goodwill. We perform our annual impairment test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter.

 

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Our reporting units are composed of either a discrete business or an aggregation of businesses with similar economic characteristics. Certain factors may result in the need to perform an impairment test prior to the fourth quarter, including significant underperformance of our business relative to expected operating results, significant adverse economic and industry trends, and a decision to divest an individual business within a reporting unit.

Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process.

 

   

The first step is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step of the process is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any.

 

   

The second step, if necessary, compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

We estimate the fair value of our reporting units, using various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow analysis. A discounted cash flow analysis requires us to make various judgmental assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates. Assumptions about discount rates are based on a weighted-average cost of capital derived from observable market inputs and comparable company data. Assumptions about sales, operating margins, and growth rates are based on our forecasts, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. Assumptions are also made for varying perpetual growth rates for periods beyond the long-term business plan period. Because of the increased uncertainty resulting from worsening global economic conditions, our revenue projections used in 2008 generally assumed reductions in 2009 and a period of recovery beginning in 2010. The revenue projection used in 2009 also assumed the beginning of market recovery in 2010, continuing into 2011.

Impairment Charge in 2008. Our annual assessment for impairment resulted in an impairment charge in 2008.

The total fair value of brand names prior to impairment in 2008 was $49.0 million. An impairment charge of $13.9 million was recorded in 2008, for an adjusted value of $35.1 million.

The fair value of the indefinite-lived assets is determined for the annual impairment test using the Royalty Savings Method, which is a variation of the income approach. In 2008, a discount rate of 14.0% was used plus a premium of 1.0%. The premiums were based on the nature of the asset.

In the 2008 evaluation of the fair value of our reporting units, we assumed revenue declines for 2009 from 2008 reflecting a continuation of weakness in the home-building and remodeling markets. We then assumed revenue in 2010 to begin to show recovery. In 2008, we also assumed a discount rate of 14.0% and a perpetual growth rate of 2.0%. These rates reflected the market conditions in the respective periods.

Our first step impairment analysis for 2008 indicated that the fair value of the Mid Continent and UltraCraft reporting units did not exceed their carrying values. The impairment test and subsequent valuation resulted in a total impairment charge of $73.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Of the total impairment charge recorded in 2008, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

Our impairment analysis as of December 31, 2008 indicated no impairment of goodwill within the StarMark reporting unit. The calculated fair value of this reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately $39.0 million.

Subsequent to recording the impairment charges in the fourth quarter of 2008, the calculated fair value of our UltraCraft reporting unit exceeded carrying value by approximately $1.0 million. The calculated fair value of the Mid Continent reporting unit exceeded carrying value by approximately $33.0 million primarily driven by the fair value of the customer relationships and Norcraft brand name within the Mid Continent reporting unit.

No Impairment Charge in 2009. Our annual assessment for impairment did not result in an impairment charge in 2009.

In the 2009 evaluation of the fair value of all our reporting units, we assumed revenue in 2010 to begin to show recovery and 2011 to continue this recovery. In 2009, we also assumed a discount rate of 16.3% and a perpetual growth rate of 3.7%. These rates reflected the market conditions in the respective periods.

 

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The fair value of the indefinite-lived assets is determined for the annual impairment test using the Royalty Savings Method, which is a variation of the income approach. In 2009, a discount rate of 14.3% was used plus a premium of 2.0%. The premiums were based on the nature of the asset.

Our first step impairment analysis for 2009 indicated that the fair value of the reporting units approximated or exceeded their carrying values. The impairment test resulted in no impairment charge in 2009.

A summary of impairment charges by reporting unit and year is as follows:

 

     Brand Names     Goodwill  
     Mid
Continent
    UltraCraft     StarMark     Total     Mid
Continent
    UltraCraft     StarMark    Total  

Balance 12/31/2007

   $ 28,700      $ 7,500      $ 12,800      $ 49,000      $ 90,507      $ 11,691      $ 46,261    $ 148,459   

Impairment

     (7,700     (3,900     (2,300     (13,900     (51,911     (8,127     —        (60,038
                                                               

Balance 12/31/2008

     21,000        3,600        10,500        35,100        38,596        3,564        46,261      88,421   

Impairment

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —        —     
                                                               

Balance 12/31/2009

   $ 21,000      $ 3,600      $ 10,500      $ 35,100      $ 38,596      $ 3,564      $ 46,261    $ 88,421   
                                                               

Monitoring Impairment in 2010. A 1.0 percentage point increase in the discount rate would reduce the indicated fair value of the brand names by approximately $3.3 million and a 0.25 percentage point decrease in the royalty rate would reduce the indicated fair value of the brand names by approximately $4.6 million. Changes of this magnitude may be enough to indicate potential impairment, depending on changes in the other factors that affect the analysis. We may need to perform an impairment test prior to the fourth quarter of 2010, if revenues or results for any of these reporting units fall significantly below our estimates during 2010, the perpetual growth rate decreases significantly, the discount rate increases significantly, or other key assumptions used in our fair value calculations in the fourth quarter of 2009 change.

Product warranties

We provide warranties for our products for a period ranging from five years to a lifetime warranty. Estimated costs to be incurred for such warranties are provided in the period of sale. These reserves are based on historical experience, market conditions and other assumptions and judgment by management.

Management incentive plan

In accordance with FASB guidance related to stock-based compensation, our methodology yields an estimate of fair value based in part on a number of management estimates, the most significant of which include future volatility and estimated incentive unit lives. Changes in these assumptions could significantly impact the estimated fair value of the incentive units.

Revenue recognition

Net sales represent gross sales less deductions taken for sales returns, freight charge backs and incentive rebate programs. These deductions are based on historical experience, market conditions and terms of the applicable marketing agreements with the customers.

Members’ equity subject to put request

The limited partnership agreement of Holdings provides that certain employee equity holders may request that Holdings repurchase limited partnership units upon their death or disability at the then fair market value. Following such a request, Holdings must use commercially reasonable efforts to repurchase such units, subject to limitations on the repurchase of equity contained in a credit facility and the indentures governing the senior discount notes and senior secured second lien notes, respectively. The fair market value of these units is recorded outside of permanent equity. Any changes in the fair market value of these units are reported as changes in members’ equity subject to put request in the statement of members’ equity and comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were 21.5 million units subject to the put request and 20.2 million units subject to the put request as of December 31, 2007.

The fair market value of a unit is estimated by dividing the current equity value of the Company by the number of vested units outstanding. The equity value of the Company is based on the earnings multiple used in the Acquisition times trailing twelve months’ EBITDA plus net cash and liability positions.

 

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Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification Topic (ASC) 350-30-35-1.A, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“ASC 350-30-35-1.A”). ASC 350-30-35-1.A amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under ASC 350-30, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“ASC 350-30”). The intent of ASC 350-30-35-1.A is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under ASC 350-30 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141(R) and other applicable accounting literature. ASC 350-30-35-1.A is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of ASC 350-30-35-1.A did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855, Subsequent Events. ASC 855 is intended to establish general standards of accounting for, and requires disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. We adopted the provisions of ASC 855 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (the Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Use of the new Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company has used the new Codification in reference to GAAP in this annual report on Form 10-K and such use has not impacted the consolidated results of the Company.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table outlines for the periods indicated, selected operating data as a percentage of net sales.

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Net sales

   100.0   100.0   100.0

Cost of sales

   71.5   70.7   66.9
                  

Gross profit

   28.5   29.3   33.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   20.2   19.5   19.3

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

   —        22.3   —     
                  

Income (loss) from operations

   8.3   (12.5 )%    13.8

Interest expense, net

   10.7   7.4   6.0

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   1.6   0.5   0.4

Other, net

   0.7   0.1   —     
                  

Net income (loss)

   (4.7 )%    (20.5 )%    7.4
                  

 

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     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Net sales

   100.0   100.0   100.0

Cost of sales

   71.5   70.7   66.9
                  

Gross profit

   28.5   29.3   33.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   20.2   19.5   19.3

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

   —        22.3   —     
                  

Income (loss) from operations

   8.3   (12.5 )%    13.8

Interest expense, net

   6.1   4.0   3.3

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   1.2   0.3   0.3

Other, net

   —        0.1   —     
                  

Net income (loss)

   1.0   (16.9 )%    10.2
                  

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared with year ended December 31, 2008

Net sales. Net sales decreased by $84.7 million, or 25.6%, from $331.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $246.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease in sales has primarily been caused by the industry-wide slow-down in the U.S. housing market and general economic slow-down, despite our aggressive sales incentives and pricing which were initiated in response to the slow-down. Various customers, channels and product lines have been impacted differently by the industry slow-down because of price points, geographies and various other factors. The decline in sales is attributable to decreases in sales of all of our U.S. divisions, with Mid Continent making up just over half of the overall decrease in net sales, StarMark making up just over a quarter and UltraCraft making up the remainder. Norcraft Canada’s sales increased over the prior year due to the 2008 completion of the transition to the production of cabinets for sale into the Canadian market.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased by $57.9 million, or 24.7%, from $234.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $176.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease was primarily attributable to our decreased sales volume. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 70.7% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 71.5% for 2009.

Gross profit. Gross profit decreased by $26.8 million, or 27.6%, from $97.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $70.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 29.3% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 28.5% for 2009. Gross profit margin was negatively impacted primarily by lost leverage on reduced sales volume and fixed manufacturing costs. Additionally, aggressive sales incentives and pricing in response to the slow-down in our market and general economy also reduced gross profit margin. However, in the third quarter of 2009, gross profit was positively impacted by a one-time sales and use tax refund in the amount of $1.1 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $15.1 million, or 23.3%, from $64.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $49.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses were lower than the prior year mainly due to lower sales and marketing expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 19.5% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 20.2% for 2009.

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. During the fourth quarter of 2008, our actual earnings and expected future earnings decreased to a level that required us to perform additional analysis under ASC 350 to quantify the amount of impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. This analysis resulted in a total impairment charge of $73.9 million, of which, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

Income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations increased by $62.2 million, or 149.5%, from $41.6 million of loss from operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $20.6 million of income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in income (loss) from operations was primarily the result of the 2008 impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales increased from (12.5)% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 8.3% for 2009.

 

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Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses. Holdings’ consolidated interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses increased $5.7 million, or 21.7%, from $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $32.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Interest expense increased $1.6 million, amortization of deferred financing costs increased $2.6 million and other expenses included a $1.6 million loss on debt extinguishment due to the change in indebtedness. Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 8.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 13.0% for 2009.

Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses for Norcraft increased $3.4 million, or 23.5%, from $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $18.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 7.3% for 2009. The increase in amortization of deferred financing costs and interest expense was primarily due to the issuance of the $180.0 million senior secured second lien notes and the related redemption of the senior subordinated notes and repurchase of the senior discount notes.

Net income (loss). Holdings’ net income (loss) increased by $56.5 million, or 83.1%, from a $68.0 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with a loss of $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This change was primarily the result of the 2008 impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Net income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for Holdings increased from (20.5)% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to (4.7)% for 2009.

Norcraft’s net income (loss) increased by $58.8 million, or 104.6%, from a loss of $56.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with income of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This change was primarily the result of the 2008 impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Net income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for Norcraft increased from (16.9)% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 1.0% for 2009.

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with year ended December 31, 2007

Net sales. Net sales decreased by $62.5 million, or 15.9%, from $394.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $331.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in sales was primarily caused by the industry-wide slow-down in the U.S. housing market despite our aggressive sales incentives and pricing which were initiated in response to the slow-down. Various customers, channels and product lines have been impacted differently by the industry slow-down because of price points, geographies and various other factors. While the decline in sales is attributable to decreases in sales of all of our divisions, it is primarily attributable to a decrease in sales in our largest division, Mid Continent.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased by $29.1 million, or 11.0%, from $263.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $234.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to our decreased sales volume. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 66.9% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 70.7% for 2008.

Gross profit. Gross profit decreased by $33.4 million, or 25.6%, from $130.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $97.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 33.1% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 29.3% for 2008. Gross profit margin was negatively impacted primarily by aggressive sales incentives and pricing in response to the slow-down in our market. Additionally, for the year as a whole, gross profit margin was negatively impacted by inflationary pressures on the pricing of commodity purchases, especially with regard to fuel and other petroleum products. This pricing was volatile and the effect on gross profit diminished toward the end of the year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $11.2 million, or 14.8%, from $76.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $64.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Selling, general and administrative expenses were lower than the prior year mainly due to lower sales and marketing expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 19.5% for 2008.

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. During the fourth quarter of 2008, our actual earnings and expected future earnings decreased to a level that required us to perform additional analysis under ASC 350 to quantify the amount of impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. This analysis resulted in a total impairment charge of $73.9 million, of which, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

 

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Income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations decreased by $96.1 million, or 176.3%, from $54.5 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2007 to a loss of $41.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in income (loss) from operations was primarily the result of the impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased from 13.8% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to (12.5)% for 2008.

Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses. Holdings’ consolidated interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses increased $1.1 million, or 4.0%, from $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Interest expense increased $1.1 million from increased indebtedness, mainly attributable to the increase in the senior discount notes due to accretion. The average debt balances were $264.6 million and $259.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The borrowing rates on the senior subordinated notes and the senior discount notes were fixed at 9.0% and 9.75%, respectively. The borrowing rate on the unsecured notes used to repurchase the equity interest of a former equity holder is 8.45%. Amortization of deferred financing charges remained flat at $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 6.4% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 8.0% for 2008.

Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses for Norcraft increased $0.2 million, or 1.0%, from $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 4.4% for 2008.

Net income (loss). Holdings’ net income (loss) decreased by $97.2 million, or 333.0%, from $29.2 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared with a loss of $68.0 million for the year ended December, 31 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of the impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Net income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for Holdings decreased from 7.4% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to (20.5)% for 2008.

Norcraft’s net income (loss) decreased by $96.3 million, or 240.0%, from $40.1 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared with a loss of $56.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of the impairment charge with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets and other factors described above. Net income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for Norcraft decreased from 10.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to (16.9)% for 2008.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows

Our primary cash needs are working capital, capital expenditures, display cabinets, members’ tax distributions and debt service. We finance these cash requirements through internally-generated cash flow and, if necessary, funds borrowed under credit facilities.

Cash provided by operating activities of Holdings was $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $42.4 million for 2008, a decrease of $31.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to the change in net loss for the year-ended December 31, 2009 from the year-ended December 31, 2008. The net loss for Holdings was $68.0 million in 2008 and $11.5 million in 2009, for an increase of $56.5 million. However, excluding the 2008 impairment charges of $73.9 million, net profitability decreased by $17.4 million. Additionally, the change in operating assets used an additional $6.5 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.

Cash provided by operating activities of Norcraft was $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $42.6 million for 2008, a decrease of $17.8 million. The decrease was primarily due to the change in net income (loss) for the year-ended December 31, 2009 from the year-ended December 31, 2008. Norcraft’s net loss was $56.2 million in 2008, compared to net income of $2.6 million in 2009, for an increase of $58.8 million. However, excluding the 2008 impairment charges of $73.9 million, net income (loss) decreased by $15.1 million. Additionally, the change in operating assets used an additional $6.5 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.

Cash used in investing activities was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $7.1 million for 2008. Additions to display cabinets were $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $4.1 million during 2008, a decrease of $0.4 million. Additionally, capital expenditures were $2.0 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, a decrease of $1.0 million.

 

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Cash used in financing activities of Holdings was $44.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $4.4 million in 2008, an increase of $39.9 million. This increase was due to the redemption of senior subordinated notes and the repurchase of senior discount notes of $213.8 million and payment of financing costs of $7.1 million offset by borrowings on senior secured second lien notes payable of $177.1 million, lower distributions to members of $2.3 million, lower payments on term loans to former equity holders of $1.5 million and lower repurchases of members’ interests of $0.1 million.

Cash used in financing activities of Norcraft was $61.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $4.6 million in 2008, an increase of $57.2 million. This increase was due to the redemption of senior subordinated notes of $148.0 million, higher distributions to members of $79.4 million and payment of financing costs of $7.0 million offset by borrowings on senior secured second lien notes payable of $177.1 million and lower repurchases of member’s interest of $0.1 million.

We generally anticipate that the funds generated by operations and current available cash balances will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements, make required tax distributions and to finance capital expenditures over the next 12 to 18 months. There can be no assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that anticipated net sales growth and operating improvements will be realized or that future equity or debt financing will be sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

We and our subsidiaries have from time to time repurchased certain of our debt obligations and may in the future, as part of various financing and investment strategies we may elect to pursue, purchase additional outstanding indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries or outstanding equity securities of Holdings, in tender offers, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. We may also sell certain assets or properties and use the proceeds to reduce our indebtedness or the indebtedness of our subsidiaries. These purchases or sales, if any, could have a material positive or negative impact on our liquidity available to repay outstanding debt obligations or on our consolidated results of operations. These transactions could also require or result in amendments to the agreements governing outstanding debt obligations or changes in our leverage or other financial ratios, which could have a material positive or negative impact on our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements. These transactions, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

Debt structure

ABL Facility. In December 2009, in connection with issuance of the senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft entered into a new senior secured first-lien asset-based revolving credit facility, or the ABL facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of December 9, 2009, or the ABL credit agreement, by and among Norcraft, as borrower, Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. and other guarantors party thereto, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and UBS Securities LLC, as arranger, bookmanager, documentation agent and syndication agent, and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as issuing bank, administrative agent and collateral agent, and UBS Loan Finance LLC, as swingline lender. The ABL facility provides for aggregate commitments of up to $25.0 million subject to a current borrowing base of approximately $14.3 million, including a letter of credit sub-facility and has a maturity date of December 9, 2013.

The ABL credit agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit the ability of Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. and its subsidiaries from (1) selling assets, (2) altering the business that Norcraft currently conducts, (3) engaging in mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations, (4) declaring dividends or redeeming or repurchasing our equity interests, (5) incurring additional debt or guarantees, (6) making loans and investments, (7) incurring liens, (8) entering into transactions with affiliates, (9) engaging in sale and leaseback transactions and (10) prepaying the senior secured second lien notes, the senior discount notes and any subordinated debt.

Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the ABL credit agreement will be guaranteed by Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., Norcraft Finance Corp., Norcraft Canada Corporation and all of Norcraft’s current and future subsidiaries, subject to exceptions for foreign subsidiaries to the extent of adverse tax consequences, and is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Norcraft’s and the guarantor’s existing and future property and assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, intellectual property, investment property, other personal property, owned real property, cash and proceeds of the foregoing.

As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL facility; however, there were approximately $5.4 million of letters of credit outstanding under the ABL facility at December 31, 2009, and therefore, our total availability under the ABL facility as of December 31, 2009, was approximately $8.9 million.

We and our subsidiaries have no unused letters of credit.

Senior Secured Second Lien Notes. In December 2009, Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Norcraft, issued, on a joint and several basis, $180.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured second lien notes.

 

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Interest accrues on the senior second lien notes and is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year at a rate of 10  1/2% per annum, commencing on June 15, 2010. Proceeds from these senior secured second lien notes were used to redeem the 9% senior subordinated notes due 2011 and to make a distribution to Holdings to allow Holdings to repurchase a portion of the 9  3/4% senior discount notes due 2012.

Norcraft may redeem the senior secured second lien notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2012, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a premium declining ratably to par plus accrued interest.

At any time before December 15, 2012, Norcraft may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture with the offerings of proceeds of qualified equity interests at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest.

If Norcraft experiences a change of control, Norcraft may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest.

Prior to December 15, 2012, Norcraft may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium plus accrued interest.

Senior Discount Notes. On August 17, 2004, Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Holdings, issued, on a joint and several basis, $118.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity ($80.3 million gross proceeds) of 9  3/4% senior discount notes due 2012. The net proceeds of this offering were used to make a distribution to Holdings’ limited partners. Norcraft Capital Corp. was formed on August 12, 2004 and has no operations. Interest accrued on the senior discount notes in the form of an increase in the accreted value of the note prior to September 1, 2008. Since that time, cash interest on the senior discount notes accrues and is payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year at a rate of 9  3/4% per annum. The first cash interest payment was made on March 1, 2009. In December 2009, $64.3 million of the senior discount notes were repurchased resulting in a loss from debt extinguishment of $1.6 million. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $53.7 million principal amount of senior discount notes outstanding.

Holdings may redeem the senior discount notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium, declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

If Holdings experiences a change in control, it may be required to offer to purchase the senior discount notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the accreted value plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Additionally, the terms of the indenture governing the senior discount notes limit Holdings’ ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, make acquisitions, make other investments, pay dividends and make various other payments. The terms also include cross-default provisions. As of December 31, 2009, Holdings was in compliance with these provisions.

Holdings currently relies on distributions from Norcraft in order to pay cash interest on the senior discount notes. The indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes significantly restricts Norcraft and its subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to Holdings. Under the terms of the indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft may make distributions of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate to Holdings or Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. to pay interest and principal on our debt issued by them. In 2009, Norcraft distributed approximately $15.7 million to Holdings to enable it to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes. In addition, in December 2009, a portion of the net proceeds from our senior secured second lien notes offering were distributed to Holdings to allow Holdings to repurchase a portion of its senior discount notes. Norcraft expects to make regular distributions to Holdings, subject to certain limitations, to permit Holdings to pay interest on its debt as well as to make further distributions to its equity holders to pay taxes on our net income allocated to them. There were no tax distributions for the year ended December 31, 2009. Tax distributions for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively.

We currently anticipate that the distributions permitted under the indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes will be sufficient to allow Holdings to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes through September 2012. If Norcraft is not permitted to make cash distributions to Holdings, Holdings will be required to raise additional proceeds through equity or debt financings in order to fund such obligations. Such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

Historical. On October 21, 2003, concurrent with the Acquisition, Norcraft Companies, L.P. entered into a $70.0 million senior credit facility with third parties for up to $25.0 million in available revolving funds and a $45.0 million term loan with an original maturity of October 21, 2008, or the original agreement. Advance debt payments were made on this term loan, and it was repaid in full during 2005.

 

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On May 2, 2006, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit facility with the same parties as the original agreement. The amendment increased the revolving credit facility to $60.0 million, removed the term loan facility, modified the interest rate and changed certain covenants. On March 27, 2009, the Company elected to terminate the amended credit facility.

On October 21, 2003, Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Norcraft, issued, on a joint and several basis, the $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes. Norcraft Finance Corp. was formed on September 26, 2003 and has no operations. On August 21, 2007, Norcraft repurchased and cancelled $2.0 million of its senior subordinated notes at a purchase price of $2.0 million plus accrued interest of $55,000. In December 2009, Norcraft redeemed the remaining $148.0 million of its senior subordinated notes at a purchase price of $148.0 million plus accrued interest of approximately $2.5 million.

Off balance sheet arrangements

There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS (2)

The following is a summary of our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2009, including payments to be made pursuant to the management and monitoring agreement:

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.
Contractual Obligations    Total    Less
Than
1 year
   1-2 years    3-5 years    After
5 Years
     (in millions)

Operating leases

   $ 5.0    $ 2.2    $ 2.0    $ 0.8    $ —  

Senior secured second lien notes (principal)

     180.0      —        —        180.0      —  

Senior secured second lien notes (interest)

     56.7      18.9      18.9      18.9      —  

Senior discount notes (principal)

     53.7      —        53.7      —        —  

Senior discount notes (interest)

     10.4      5.2      5.2      —        —  

Management fees (1)

     7.0      1.0      2.0      3.0      1.0
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 312.8    $ 27.3    $ 81.8    $ 202.7    $ 1.0
                                  
     Norcraft Companies, L.P.
Contractual Obligations    Total    Less
Than
1 year
   1-2 years    3-5 years    After
5 Years
     (in millions)

Operating leases

   $ 5.0    $ 2.2    $ 2.0    $ 0.8    $ —  

Senior secured second lien notes (principal)

     180.0      —        —        180.0      —  

Senior secured second lien notes (interest)

     56.7      18.9      18.9      18.9      —  

Management fees (1)

     7.0      1.0      2.0      3.0      1.0
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 248.7    $ 22.1    $ 22.9    $ 202.7    $ 1.0
                                  

 

(1) In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into a management and monitoring agreement with affiliates of each of SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. and Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C. Pursuant to the management and monitoring agreement, we will pay such affiliate entities an aggregate annual fee of $1.0 million for so long as they maintain certain levels of equity ownership in our parent.
(2) There were no material changes in ASC topic 740 liabilities outside of the normal course of our business.

 

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TAXES; DISTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LIMITED PARTNERS

Holdings is a limited partnership. As such, our income is allocated to our limited partners for inclusion in their respective tax returns. Accordingly, no liability or provision for federal income taxes and deferred income taxes attributable to our operations are included in our financial statements. We are subject to various state and local taxes.

The indenture governing our senior secured second lien notes significantly restricts Norcraft and its subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to Holdings. Norcraft expects to make regular distributions to Holdings, subject to certain limitations, to permit Holdings to make further distributions to its equity holders to pay taxes on our net income allocated to them. There were no tax distributions for the year ended December 31, 2009. Tax distributions for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively.

The Company made no other cash distributions to the holders of its Class A and Class B units in Holdings during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company made total cash distributions of $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2007, the exercise price of the Class D units in Holdings subject to the management incentive plan was modified (as described in Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules,” Note 8, “Members’ Equity”), and the right to purchase Class A units in Holdings by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. was also modified (as described in Part III, Item 11, “Executive Compensation”). There was no significant impact to its financial statements resulting from the modification in exercise price of the Class D units.

INFLATION; SEASONALITY

Our cost of sales is subject to inflationary pressures and price fluctuations of the raw materials we use. We have generally been able over time to recover the effects of inflation and price fluctuations through sales price increases.

Our sales have historically been moderately seasonal and have been strongest in April through October which coincides with construction seasonality.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We currently do not hedge against interest rate movements or foreign currency fluctuations. The risk inherent in our market-sensitive instruments and positions is the potential loss arising from adverse changes to interest rates as discussed below.

Variable Interest Rates

Our earnings could be affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes would have on interest expense from variable rate debt instruments and on interest income generated from our cash and investment balances. At December 31, 2009, we had no borrowings on our variable rate ABL facility, however future earnings could be affected by changes in interest rates.

Foreign Currency

We have minimal exposure to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates that could affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our largest exposure comes from the Canadian dollar, where approximately 6% of our sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 were derived from Norcraft Canada and our revenues from such sales were denominated in Canadian dollar.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements required by this item are set forth starting on page F-1 and the related financial schedule is set forth on page S-1.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

On April 24, 2009, we dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as our independent registered public accounting firm. Such dismissal was recommended and approved by the audit committee of the board of managers of our general partner.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and through April 24, 2009, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to PwC’s satisfaction, would have caused PwC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the financial statements for such years.

 

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The reports of PwC on the financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and through April 24, 2009, the Company had no “reportable events” described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

On April 24, 2009, the Company engaged Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as its new independent registered public accounting firm. During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, Grant Thornton provided certain consulting services to the Company primarily relating to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in connection with the preparation of regulatory filings and the Company’s internal audit. Such services were provided under the direction and supervision of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

Except for the matters noted above, during the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, the Company has not consulted with Grant Thornton regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements; or (iii) any other matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a “reportable event” of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. The engagement of Grant Thornton was recommended and approved by the audit committee of the board of managers of our general partner.

 

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2009. Disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive and principal financial offers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the registrant’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

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The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s management conducted an assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Norcraft GP, L.L.C. (“Norcraft GP”) is the general partner of both Norcraft and Holdings. The following table sets forth information about the members of the board of managers of our general partner and our executive officers:

 

Name

   Age   

Position(s)

Mark Buller

   45    President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager

Kurt Wanninger

   49    President, Mid Continent

Simon Solomon

   57    President, UltraCraft

John Swedeen

   59    President, StarMark

Leigh Ginter

   44    Chief Financial Officer

Herb Buller

   68    Chairman of the Board of Managers

Jay Bloom

   54    Manager

David Kim

   43    Manager

Michael Maselli

   50    Manager

Christopher Reilly

   47    Manager

Sean Britain

   34    Manager

Set forth below is a brief description of the business experience of each of the members of the board of managers of our general partner and our executive officers.

Mark Buller became our chief executive officer and a member of our general partner’s board of managers upon consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Buller has over 22 years of experience in the cabinetry industry and has been a chief executive officer or division president of a cabinet manufacturer during the past 12 years. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Buller served in various management positions at Kitchen Craft Cabinets, a Canadian cabinetry maker. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Buller was president of Kitchen Craft and following its acquisition by Omega Cabinets, Ltd., Mr. Buller continued as president of Kitchen Craft from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Buller was appointed chief executive officer of Omega in 2000 and remained in that position until 2002, leaving Omega after it was sold to Fortune Brands, Inc.

Kurt Wanninger became president of our Mid Continent division in January of 2006. Mr. Wanninger has over 30 years of manufacturing industry experience, including over seven years with MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. While at MasterBrand Cabinets, Mr. Wanninger served as the executive vice president of operations. His responsibilities included the supply chain for this $2.0 billion organization, leading 16 plants and 7,500 employees, producing 30,000 cabinets per day. Prior to Mr. Wanninger’s kitchen cabinet experience, he worked for Electrolux as the general manager of the Poulan Weedeater Division supporting $600 million in annual revenue producing gas weedeaters, chain saws and leaf blowers. Prior to joining Electrolux, Mr. Wanninger spent 17 years at a significant supplier to the automotive industry holding various operational positions. Mr. Wanninger received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bellevue University and an associate’s degree from Iowa Western in operations management.

Simon Solomon originally joined our company in June 2000 when we purchased UltraCraft. He continued to serve as the president of UltraCraft until his departure from the Company on August 31, 2006. He resumed his role as the president of UltraCraft after rejoining the Company on February 13, 2008. Cumulatively, he has over 15 years experience serving as the president of UltraCraft. He also has over 31 years total experience in the building industry. Prior to joining UltraCraft, Mr. Solomon worked in a variety of sales positions at Thomasville Furniture, his latest being general manager of its Armstrong Furniture division, and also served as senior vice president of sales and marketing at Lineage Home Furnishings, a subsidiary of Masco Corporation. Mr. Solomon received a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in international management from the American Graduate School of International Management.

John Swedeen joined our company in 2002 when we purchased StarMark. Mr. Swedeen has been in his current role as the president of StarMark since 1998. Prior to joining StarMark, he served as vice president of sales and marketing for Weiser Lock, a subsidiary of Masco Corporation. Prior to joining Masco, he served in various capacities for Ingersoll-Rand Company, most recently as vice president of marketing for its Architectural Hardware Group. Mr. Swedeen received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University and completed an executive education program at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

 

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Leigh Ginter joined our company in December 1997 as corporate controller and became our chief financial officer upon consummation of the Acquisition. In October 2001, he was appointed our vice president and controller, responsible for overseeing the finances of all of our business divisions as well as monitoring our overall financial performance. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Ginter spent five years as controller for Beckman Produce, an $80 million wholesale produce distributor in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Ginter began his career at Lampert Lumber, serving in a variety of accounting positions during his five years with the company. Mr. Ginter received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Metropolitan University.

Herb Buller joined our company as chairman of our general partner’s board of managers upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Buller founded Kitchen Craft Cabinets, a Canadian cabinetry maker, in 1971. Mr. Buller served as chief executive officer of Kitchen Craft until December 2002. Mr. Buller received a bachelor’s degree and a certificate of education from University of Manitoba. He has served on the board of Teen Challenge, Family Life Network and Palliser Furniture.

Jay Bloom joined our company as a member of our general partner’s board of managers upon consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Bloom is a founder and managing partner of Trimaran Fund Management L.L.C. In addition, he is a member of the Investment Committee of Trimaran Advisors, L.L.C. Prior to co-founding Trimaran Fund Management L.L.C., Mr. Bloom was a vice chairman of CIBC World Markets Corp. and co-head of the CIBC Argosy Merchant Banking Funds. Prior to joining CIBC World Markets Corp. in 1995, Mr. Bloom was a founder and managing director of The Argosy Group L.P. Mr. Bloom received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Cornell University and a juris doctor from Columbia University School of Law. Mr. Bloom has served on the board of directors of Educational Services of America, Inc., El Pollo Loco, Inc., NSP Holdings LLC, PrimeCo Wireless Communications L.L.C, Standard Steel, L.L.C, Source Financial Corporation, Millennium Digital Media, L.L.C, IASIS Healthcare Corporation, Freightcar America, Inc., Accuride Corporation, Transportation Technologies Industries, Inc. and Fortunoff, L.L.C.

David Kim joined our company as a member of our general partner’s board of managers upon the consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Kim is currently a partner at Apax Partners, L.P. and was involved in Apax Partners’ investments in Contech Construction Products, Empire Pacific Windows, Tommy Bahama and RSI Home Products. Before joining Saunders, Karp & Megrue, LLC, a predecessor to Apax Partners, in March 2000, Mr. Kim was a principal with Butler Capital Corporation, a middle market private equity firm. While there, Mr. Kim was involved in Butler Capital’s investments in Omega Cabinets, Ltd., Contech Construction Products and the Beckley-Cardy Group. Prior to Butler Capital, Mr. Kim graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger schools and served as an artillery officer. Mr. Kim received a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from West Point and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. Mr. Kim has served as a member of the boards of Contech Construction Products, Spyder Active Sports and Empire Pacific Windows.

Michael Maselli joined our company as a member of our general partner’s board of managers upon consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Maselli is a managing director of Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. Before joining Trimaran in February 2003, Mr. Maselli worked in the Corporate and Leverage Finance Groups of CIBC World Markets. Prior to joining CIBC in 1997, Mr. Maselli served as a managing director in Bear Stearns’ corporate finance group and, prior to that, as a vice president at Kidder Peabody. Mr. Maselli received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in business administration, with distinction, from The A.B. Freeman School at Tulane University. Mr. Maselli has served on the board of directors of Standard Steel, L.L.C. and Charlie Brown’s Acquisition Corp.

Christopher Reilly joined our company as a member of our general partner’s board of managers upon consummation of the Acquisition. Mr. Reilly is a founding partner at KarpReilly, LLC. Prior to founding KarpReilly, LLC, Mr. Reilly was a partner at Apax Partners, L.P. Before joining Saunders, Karp & Megrue, LLC, the predecessor to Apax Partners, in 1990, Mr. Reilly served in the Merchant Banking and Finance, Administration and Operations Departments of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Reilly spent two years at Bankers Trust. Mr. Reilly received a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a master’s degree in business administration from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Mr. Reilly has served as a member of the board of directors of Z’Tejas, Inc., Habit Burger Grill, S.B. Restaurant Co. (Elephant Bar), Comark, Inc., Bob’s Discount Furniture, Encompass Home Health, Performance, Inc. and Wilshire Pies, Inc.

 

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Sean Britain originally joined our company as a member of our general partner’s board of managers in November 2005. Mr. Britain worked at Apax Partners, L.P. and its U.S. predecessor Saunders, Karp & Megrue, LLC from 2000 to 2008. Mr. Britain currently serves as an advisor to certain Apax Partners portfolio companies. Prior to joining Apax Partners in 2000, Mr. Britain worked at First Union Securities as an associate in the Private Equity Coverage Group and a financial analyst in the Leveraged Capital Group. Mr. Britain received a bachelor’s degree in business from Wake Forest University. Mr. Britain has served as a member of the board of directors of Spyder Active Sports, Empire Pacific Windows and Bob’s Discount Furniture.

Other than with respect to Herb Buller and Mark Buller, who are father and son, respectively, there are no family relationships among members of our general partner’s board of managers and our executive officers.

COMPANY GOVERNANCE

Our general partner’s board of managers manages our business and affairs as provided by its limited liability company agreement and conducts its business through meetings of the board of managers. Pursuant to the general partner’s limited liability company agreement, each of the representatives of Apax Partners who sit on our general partner’s board of managers, Mr. Reilly and Mr. Kim, are each entitled to cast 2.5 votes with respect to each matter which is submitted to a vote before our general partner’s board of managers. Trimaran is entitled to designate two managers, and an entity associated with our Chief Executive Officer, Mark Buller, is entitled to designate two managers, each of which will have one vote. As a result, the managers appointed by Apax Partners investors together hold a majority of the votes to be cast on each matter submitted to a vote before our general partner’s board of managers. See Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence—Arrangements with Our Investors.”

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The board of managers of Norcraft GP has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The members of the audit committee are Christopher Reilly, David Kim and Michael Maselli.

The board of managers of Norcraft GP has not determined whether or not any of its members who serve on the audit committee of the board of managers of Norcraft GP is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by SEC rules. The board of managers of Norcraft GP has determined, however, that the absence from its audit committee of a person who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert does not impair the ability of its audit committee to provide effective oversight of the Company’s external financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, the board of managers of Norcraft GP does not intend to add a person to its membership solely for the purpose of adding an audit committee financial expert. In reaching its determination that the members of the audit committee, as it is presently constituted, have sufficient knowledge and experience to exercise effective oversight without the addition of an audit committee financial expert, the board of managers of Norcraft GP considered the knowledge gained by the current members of the audit committee in connection with their prior experience.

CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for managers, officers (including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer) and employees, known as the “Code of Business Ethics and Conduct”. The Code of Business Ethics and Conduct is available on our website at http://www.norcraftcompanies.com. Interested parties may request a free copy of a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct from:

Norcraft Companies, L.P.

3020 Denmark Avenue, Suite 100

Eagan, MN 55121

Phone: (651)234-3300

Fax: (651)234-3398

E-mail: leigh.ginter@norcraftcompanies.com

 

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

This compensation discussion describes the material elements of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our directors and officers who are considered “named executive officers” during our last three completed fiscal years. Named executive officers consist of the individual who served as our chief executive officer in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Mark Buller, the individual who served as our chief financial officer in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Leigh Ginter, and the most-highly compensated individuals serving as executive officers at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009: (i) Kurt Wanninger, the president of our Mid Continent division, (ii) John Swedeen, the president of our StarMark division and (iii) Simon Solomon, the president of our UltraCraft division (except for the period August 31, 2006 to February 13, 2008, during which time Mr. Solomon was not employed by the Company).

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation programs are intended to attract and retain vital employees, motivating and rewarding them for outstanding performance. Some programs are geared towards the short-term, while others are intended to foster long-term performance with the goal of increasing member value over the long term. Executive compensation programs can influence all employees by establishing general compensation levels and creating an atmosphere of goals, rewards and expectations. Because we believe that every employee’s performance is important to our success, we are careful of the effect of executive compensation and incentive programs on all of our employees.

Our Compensation Committee and Compensation Process

The board of managers of Norcraft GP has a separately designated compensation committee composed of three non-employee, independent directors. The committee is responsible for establishing and administering the policies that govern both annual compensation and equity ownership. They review and approve salaries, bonus and incentive compensation, equity compensation and all other forms of compensation for our named executive officers. The compensation committee is also responsible for reviewing and administering our incentive compensation plans, equity incentive programs and other benefit plans. Currently, the members of our compensation committee are Christopher Reilly, David Kim and Michael Maselli.

Components of our executive compensation include salary, bonus, equity incentive awards, health insurance, disability and life insurance. Executive base salaries are set by the compensation committee. Our compensation committee also approves and adopts the management incentive plan for the new fiscal year and grants Class D unit awards to all of our executive officers and certain other eligible employees.

The Class D unit awards represent grants of “profits interests” in Holdings pursuant to its incentive plan. These units receive tax distributions based on our net income allocated to them. The Class D unit awards are subject to time and performance-based vesting set forth in our incentive plan and the individual award certificate (the terms of which are set at the time of grant). Vested Class D units are convertible at the option of the holder into Class A units of Holdings at a price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit on the date such Class D unit was granted.

We maintain health and dental insurance plans for the benefit of eligible employees, including the named executive officers. Each of these benefit plans requires the employee to pay a portion of the premium, with our company paying the remainder. We also maintain a 401(k) retirement plan that is available to all eligible employees. Life, accidental death and dismemberment and short and long term disability insurance coverage is also offered to all eligible employees and premiums are paid in full by us. We also provide company paid travel and living expense benefits, company paid automobiles and severance to eligible employees. Other voluntary benefits, such as supplemental life and accidental death insurance are also made available and paid for by the employee. The foregoing benefits are available to named executive officers on the same basis as all other eligible employees, subject to relevant regulatory requirements.

Our compensation committee performs an annual review of each executive’s complete compensation history over each of the past five years and compares it to the compensation of executives in an appropriate market comparison group. Mark Buller, the chief executive officer, makes compensation recommendations to the compensation committee for the executive officers who report to him. These executive officers are not present at the time of these discussions. Herb Buller, the chairman of our board of managers, then makes a compensation recommendation to the compensation committee for Mark Buller, our chief executive officer. As noted above, Herb Buller is Mark Buller’s father. The compensation committee ultimately determines Mark Buller’s compensation and he is not present at the time of these discussions.

 

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We select each component of compensation to attract and retain vital executive talent, reward annual performance and provide incentive for long-term focus on strategic goals. The amount of each component of compensation is determined by or under the control of our compensation committee, which uses the following factors to determine the amount of salary and other benefits to pay each executive:

 

   

performance against corporate and individual goals for the previous year;

 

   

difficulty of achieving desired goals in the coming year;

 

   

value of their unique skills to support long-term performance of the Company;

 

   

performance of their general management responsibilities; and

 

   

contribution as a member of the executive management team.

These components of our overall compensation program help to achieve the potential of our operations, growing sales and profitability, providing proper compliance and regulatory guidance and helping to create a productive team.

Our allocation between current and long-term compensation attempts to ensure adequate base compensation to attract and retain vital personnel, while providing incentives to maximize long-term value for our members. We pay cash base salaries to meet the competition and reward performance on an annual basis in the form of bonus compensation. We provide non-cash compensation to reward superior long-term performance and to improve retention.

Holdings made no cash distributions, other than tax distributions, to the holders of its Class A and Class B units in Holdings during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. Holdings made total cash distributions of $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2007. This equated to approximately $0.05 per A and B unit in fiscal 2007. In addition, the exercise price of the Class D units in Holdings, subject to the management incentive plan, was modified during June of 2007 (as described in Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules,” Note 8, “Members’ Equity”), and the right to purchase Class A units in Holdings by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. was also modified (as described in Part III, Item 11, “Executive Compensation”). There was no significant impact to our financial statements resulting from the modification in exercise price of the Class D units.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, none of the members of our compensation committee was ever an employee or officer of our company. Furthermore, none of our executive officers have ever served as a director or a member of the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served in a similar capacity at our company.

Compensation Committee Report

As described above, the current members of the compensation committee are Christopher Reilly, David Kim and Michael Maselli. Our compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the compensation process described above. Based on its review and discussion of this process, the compensation committee recommended to the board of managers of Norcraft GP that this process be included within this 10-K.

 

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Specific Executive Compensation Disclosure

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation earned by our named executive officers in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

 

Name and Title

   Year    Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Option
Awards
($) (1)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Earnings

($)
   All Other
Compensation

($) (2)
    Total
($)

Mark Buller
Chief Executive Officer

   2007    425,181    —      —      —      796,227      1,221,408
   2008    428,025    —      —      —      720      428,745
   2009    460,000    92,000    —      —      720 (3)    552,720

Leigh Ginter
Chief Financial Officer

   2007    196,154    —      —      —      33,618      229,772
   2008    216,923    —      —      —      9,312      226,235
   2009    220,000    50,000    —      —      2,327 (4)    272,327

John Swedeen
President, StarMark

   2007    250,077    173,017    —      —      41,479      464,573
   2008    296,846    —      —      —      17,373      314,219
   2009    305,000    53,863    —      —      3,066 (5)    361,929

Kurt Wanninger
President, Mid Continent

   2007    358,077    110,000    —      —      15,063      483,140
   2008    365,000    —      —      —      87,049      452,049
   2009    365,000    66,941    —      —      4,762 (6)    436,703

Simon Solomon
President, UltraCraft

   2007    —      —      —      —      2,116,701      2,116,701
   2008    174,939    —      —      —      38,498      213,437
   2009    200,000    —      —      —      578 (7)    200,578

 

(1) Represents Class D Units of Holdings granted, but not yet fully vested, to our executive officers. All Class D units are “profits interest” issued pursuant to Holdings’ incentive plan and remain subject to time and performance-based vesting. Amounts shown represent the estimated fair value of the Class D units calculated pursuant to ASC Topic 718. For a full discussion of these calculations, see Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules,” Note 8, “Members’ Equity.”
(2) Amounts shown include (a) company paid life insurance premiums; (b) the matching contributions made to the 401(k) savings plan on behalf of the named executive officer; (c) travel and living expense benefits; (d) automobile; (e) cash payout of equity due to termination of employment; (f) interest and principal paid on note payable due to termination of employment; (g) severance payments; and (h) the member distribution as described above.
(3) Includes $720 of life insurance premiums.
(4) Includes $1,692 of matching contribution of 401(k) savings plan and $635 of life insurance premiums.
(5) Includes $2,346 of matching contribution of 401(k) savings plan and $720 of life insurance premiums.
(6) Includes $1,234 of relocation benefits, $2,808 of matching contribution of 401(k) savings plan and $720 of life insurance premiums.
(7) Includes $578 of life insurance premiums.

 

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Management Equity Incentive Plan

Holdings adopted an Amended and Restated Management Incentive Plan in 2003, which we refer to as the incentive plan. The incentive plan provides for the grants of incentive Class D units to selected employees and other persons providing services for us. The purposes of the incentive plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to our employees and promote the success of our business.

The compensation committee of the board of managers of Norcraft GP administers the incentive plan. The administrator has the sole discretion to grant options to employees and to determine the awards and incentive units granted under the plan. Incentive units may not be transferred other than in accordance with the agreement of limited partnership of Holdings. There are 7.3 million Class D units authorized under the plan.

Class D units issued under the incentive plan represent limited partnership interests in Holdings. The Class D units constitute “profits interests,” and therefore, are permitted to receive distributions only after specified amounts have been paid to the holders of Class A units, Class B units and Class C units of Holdings. Distributions that would otherwise have been made on Class D units will be reduced to the extent of the applicable distribution threshold. Accordingly, the amount of such distribution with respect to such a Class D unit shall be reduced up to the amount of such distribution until the aggregate amount of all such reductions equals the amount of distributions to which the holders of Class D units would be entitled to receive if, immediately prior to the issuance of such unit, the assets of Holdings were sold at their fair market value, the liabilities of Holdings were paid in full and the remaining proceeds were distributed in accordance with Holdings’ limited partnership agreement. Pursuant to the terms of Holdings’ limited partnership agreement, holders of Class D units generally participate only in liquidating distributions by Holdings, and then, only to the extent vested. The holders of Class D units are also entitled to receive distributions of their allocated percentages of Holdings’ taxable net income to make tax payments.

Class D unit awards issued under the plan are subject to both time-based and performance-based vesting. The time-based awards generally represent 50% of the Class D units granted to each holder and generally vest in equal increments over a 5 year period, with the first vesting typically to occur at the end of the first fully completed fiscal year after the date of grant. The performance-based awards generally represent 50% of the Class D units granted to each holder and are subject to vesting in equal increments at the end of each year over a five year period if and to the extent we have met certain financial targets established by the Norcraft GP board of managers at the time it establishes the budget for each such year. In connection with a change of control of our Company, any time-based awards will be immediately vested and any performance-based awards will be subject to immediate vesting in the event that the return received by certain of our investors as a result of such change of control transaction exceeds a specified amount. The compensation committee has discretion to change these vesting terms at the time it approves a grant of any individual award and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the plan. It further has discretion to accelerate the vesting of any award at any time. Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee, all vesting of Class D units is contingent upon a participant’s continued employment by us and in the event of a termination of employment any unvested Class D units are immediately forfeited.

Class D units issued under the incentive plan, to the extent vested, may be converted to Class A units of Holdings at any time by the holder thereof by paying a conversion price which is generally equal to the value of a Class A unit award on the date such Class D unit award was granted. In the alternative, the Class D unit awards may be converted to Class A units through a “cashless exercise” feature set forth in the incentive plan. Upon termination of a participant’s employment other than by us for cause, the incentive plan provides that any vested Class D units must be converted to Class A units of Holdings by the participant within 30 days or such units will terminate and be forfeited. Upon termination of a participant’s employment by us for cause, the incentive plan provides that any vested Class D units will be immediately forfeited.

The incentive plan will terminate in October 2013. The board of managers of Norcraft GP may terminate the incentive plan at any time at its sole discretion. The board of managers of Norcraft GP may amend the incentive plan subject to limited restrictions.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth the Class D units that have vested and that remain subject to vesting in the future for each of our named executive officers outstanding as of the end of 2009.

 

     Equity Awards (1)
     Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Units Exercisable
(#)
   Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Units
Unexercisable (#)
   Unit Exercise Price
($)

Mark Buller

        

Chief Executive Officer

   2,613,292    —      0.12

Leigh Ginter

        

Chief Financial Officer

   311,527    —      0.49

John Swedeen

        

President, StarMark

   232,085    —      0.12

Kurt Wanninger

        

President, Mid Continent

   632,582    210,861    1.69

Simon Solomon

        

President, UltraCraft

   38,956    116,869    1.18

 

(1) Represents Class D units of Holdings granted, but not yet fully vested, to these executive officers. All Class D units remain subject to time and performance-based vesting. Under the terms of the Plan the Class D units generally begin to vest on the December 31 of the first full year following the date of grant with 50% of the units typically vesting over a 5 year period and 50% vesting over a 5 year period subject to the Company meeting certain performance based criteria in each of those years. Upon vesting, each Class D unit entitles the unit holder the option to purchase one Class A unit in Holdings. All Class D units will be issued with an exercise price equal to the then fair value of Holdings’ Class A units and a distribution threshold that allows such Class D units to qualify as “profits interests” under applicable law.

Employment Agreements and Arrangements upon Termination or Change of Control

Arrangements with Mark Buller

Mr. Buller entered into an employment agreement with us on October 21, 2003, the initial term of which expired October 20, 2006. This term automatically extends for consecutive one-year periods unless he or Holdings declines to extend the term. Mr. Buller is entitled to receive $460,000 as his base salary for 2010, with a targeted bonus of 50% of base salary, which bonus will be tied to certain financial performance objectives set by the board of managers of Norcraft GP. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Buller has, among other things, agreed that (i) he will not disclose any of our trade secrets or confidential information, during and after the term of his employment, (ii) he will assign and disclose to us all intellectual property and proprietary rights developed or reduced to practice that relate to our business, during and for 3 months after the term of his employment and (iii) he will not compete against us and will not solicit nor hire any of our current employees, regardless of the reason for his termination, during and for two years after the term of his employment.

In the event we terminate Mr. Buller’s employment without cause (as defined in his agreement) or if he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in his agreement), he will continue to receive his base salary for 18 months following the date of termination. He will also be entitled to receive a pro-rated portion of any bonus accrued for the year in which termination occurred (payable when the bonus would have otherwise been paid) and certain other health and welfare benefits in accordance with his agreement. If we had terminated Mr. Buller’s employment without cause or if he had terminated his employment for good reason as of December 31, 2009, Mr. Buller would have been entitled to receive an aggregate $690,000 pursuant to such provisions in his employment agreement (payment of which would be made over time and subject to the provisions of such agreement).

 

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In the event we terminate Mr. Buller’s employment for cause or if he terminates his employment other than for good reason, we are not obligated to provide Mr. Buller any severance other than his accrued and unpaid base salary and certain other health and welfare benefits in accordance with his agreement.

In the event of Mr. Buller’s death or disability, he is entitled to receive his accrued and unpaid base salary, a pro-rated portion of any bonus accrued for the year in which his employment ceased (payable when the bonus would have otherwise been paid) and certain other health and welfare benefits in accordance with his agreement.

Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C., an entity affiliated with Mr. Buller, Herb Buller and certain other members of the Buller family, currently holds 15.5 million Class A units in Holdings and MEB Norcraft, L.L.C., another entity affiliated with Mr. Buller, currently holds approximately 2.9 million Class D units in Holdings. In connection with any termination of Mr. Buller’s employment, such Class D units will be immediately forfeited. However, in the event that such termination is not by us for cause, immediately prior to such forfeiture, the holder will be entitled to convert each of the vested Class D units held by it to Class A units at a conversion price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit of Holdings at the time such Class D unit was originally granted. The conversion price for these Class D units is $0.12.

In accordance with the Holdings limited partnership agreement, if Mr. Buller’s employment is terminated by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. and all units held by MEB Norcraft, L.L.C. at a purchase price equal to, in the case of units considered to be beneficially held by Mr. Buller, the lower of cost or the fair market value of such units, and in the case of all other such units, the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Buller’s employment is terminated by Mr. Buller other than for good reason, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Buller’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by MEB Norcraft, L.L.C. at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units.

In addition, in the event Mr. Buller’s employment is terminated due to his death or a disability, he or his estate may request that Holdings purchase his outstanding interests in Holdings for fair market value. Pursuant to its limited partnership agreement, Holdings agrees to undertake commercially reasonable effectors to purchase such interests, subject to its current financial condition permits, including without limitation the restrictions imposed by its then outstanding debt agreements.

Upon certain corporate events, including a change of control of our company, Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. is entitled to receive a change of control bonus of up to $4.0 million (pending the Company successfully achieving various financial goals and rates of return for certain investors) and has the right to purchase up to 1,478,553.86 additional Class A units for $2.00 per unit and an additional 1,478,553.86 Class A units for $2.50 per unit.

Finally, pursuant to the Holdings limited partnership agreement, Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. has a right of first offer to purchase our company upon a decision by Norcraft GP’s board of managers to engage in a sale transaction. See Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence—Arrangements with Buller Investors.”

Arrangements with Other Employed Named Executive Managers

Each of Mr. Ginter and Mr. Swedeen entered into an employment agreement with us on October 21, 2003, the initial term of which expired December 31, 2004. Pursuant to each employment agreement, the employment term is automatically extended for consecutive one-year periods unless either Mr. Ginter or Mr. Swedeen, or Holdings declines to extend the term. Mr. Wanninger entered into an employment agreement with Holdings, effective as of January 17, 2006, the initial term of which expired on December 31, 2007. Pursuant to Mr. Wanninger’s employment agreement, the employment term is automatically extended for consecutive one-year periods unless he or Holdings declines to extend the term. Mr. Solomon entered into an employment agreement with us on October 21, 2003, but his employment was terminated on August 31, 2006. He subsequently rejoined us and entered into another employment agreement with us on February 13, 2008. Pursuant to Mr. Solomon’s employment agreement, Mr. Solomon or Holdings may terminate Mr. Solomon’s employment at anytime and for any reason.

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Ginter is entitled to receive $220,000, Mr. Swedeen is entitled to receive $305,000, Mr. Wanninger is entitled to receive $365,000 and Mr. Solomon is entitled to receive $200,000, in each case, as such officer’s base salary for 2010, with eligibility to receive a bonus tied to certain financial performance objectives set by the board of managers of Norcraft GP. Pursuant to each employment agreement, each such named executive officer has, among other things, agreed that (i) he will not disclose any of our trade secrets or confidential information, during and after the term of his employment; (ii) he will assign and disclose to us all intellectual property and proprietary rights developed or reduced to practice that relate to our business, during and for 3 months after the term of his employment; (iii) he will not compete against us (x) until receipt of his last severance payment

 

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in the case of Mr. Ginter or Mr. Swedeen and (y) for one year following the end of employment in the case of Mr. Wanninger; and (iv) following the end of employment, he will not solicit or hire any of our current employees for (x) one year in the case of Mr. Ginter or Mr. Swedeen and (y) two years in the case of Mr. Wanninger and Mr. Solomon.

With respect to Mr. Ginter, Mr. Swedeen and Mr. Wanninger, in the event we terminate such officer’s employment without cause (as defined in his agreement) or if he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in his agreement) he will continue to receive, in the case of Mr. Ginter and Mr. Swedeen, his base salary for at least three months following the date of termination, and in the case of Mr. Wanninger, his base salary for one year following the date of termination, plus, in each case, a pro-rated portion of any bonus accrued for the year in which termination occurred (payable when the bonus would have otherwise been paid) and certain other health and welfare benefits in accordance with his agreement. If we had terminated Mr. Ginter’s employment without cause or if he had terminated his employment for good reason as of December 31, 2009, Mr. Ginter would have been entitled to receive an aggregate $55,000 pursuant to such provisions in his employment agreement (payment of which would be made over time and subject to the provisions of such agreement). If we had terminated Mr. Swedeen’s employment without cause or if he had terminated his employment for good reason as of December 31, 2009, Mr. Swedeen would have been entitled to receive an aggregate $76,250 pursuant to such provisions in his employment agreement (payment of which would be made over time and subject to the provisions of such agreement). If we had terminated Mr. Wanninger’s employment without cause or if he had terminated his employment for good reason as of December 31, 2009, Mr. Wanninger would have been entitled to receive an aggregate $365,000 pursuant to such provisions in his employment agreement (payment of which would be made over time and subject to the provisions of such agreement). Regardless of the reason for termination of Mr. Solomon’s employment, he will not be entitled to receive any additional salary or bonus.

With respect to Mr. Ginter, Mr. Swedeen and Mr. Wanninger, in the event we terminate such officer’s employment for cause or if he terminates his employment other than for good reason, we are not obligated to provide such officer any severance other than his accrued and unpaid base salary and certain other health and welfare benefits in accordance with his agreement. Regardless of the reason for termination of Mr. Solomon’s employment, he will not be entitled to receive any severance.

Mr. Ginter currently holds 0.2 million Class A units, 0.4 million Class B units and 0.3 million Class D units in Holdings. In addition, upon certain events (including a change of control or termination of employment), Mr. Ginter is entitled to receive 0.4 million Class C units in Holdings. In connection with any termination of Mr. Ginter’s employment, such Class D units will be immediately forfeited. However, in the event that such termination is not by us for cause, immediately prior to such forfeiture, Mr. Ginter will be entitled to convert each of the vested Class D units held by him to Class A units at a conversion price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit of Holdings at the time such Class D unit was originally granted. The conversion price for 0.3 million of the Class D units held by Mr. Ginter is $0.12 and the conversion price for the remaining Class D units held by him is $1.77. In accordance with the Holdings limited partnership agreement, if Mr. Ginter’s employment is terminated by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the lower of cost or the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Ginter’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units.

Mr. Swedeen currently holds 0.5 million Class A units, 0.2 million Class B units and 0.2 million Class D units in Holdings. In addition, upon certain events (including a change of control or termination of employment), Mr. Swedeen is entitled to receive 0.2 million Class C units in Holdings. In connection with any termination of Mr. Swedeen’s employment, such Class D units will be immediately forfeited. However, in the event that such termination is not by us for cause, immediately prior to such forfeiture, Mr. Swedeen will be entitled to convert each of the vested Class D units held by him to Class A units at a conversion price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit of Holdings at the time such Class D unit was originally granted. The conversion price for the Class D units held by Mr. Swedeen is $0.12. In accordance with the Holdings limited partnership agreement, if Mr. Swedeen’s employment is terminated by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the lower of cost or the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Swedeen’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units.

Mr. Wanninger currently holds 0.2 million Class A units and 0.8 million Class D units in Holdings. In connection with any termination of Mr. Wanninger’s employment, such Class D units will be immediately forfeited. However, in the event that such termination is not by us for cause, immediately prior to such forfeiture, Mr. Wanninger will be entitled to convert each of the vested Class D units held by him to Class A units at a conversion price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit of Holdings at the time such Class D unit was originally granted. The conversion price for the Class D units held by Mr. Wanninger is $1.69. In accordance with the Holdings limited partnership agreement, if Mr. Wanninger’s employment is terminated by us for cause, Holdings

 

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has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the lower of cost or the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Wanninger’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units.

Mr. Solomon currently holds 1.3 million Class A units and .2 million Class D units in Holdings. The Class A units were converted from an unsecured note with an unpaid principal balance and accrued interest of $1,532,278.85 on December 31, 2008. In connection with any termination of Mr. Solomon’s employment, such Class D units will be immediately forfeited. However, in the event that such termination is not by us for cause, immediately prior to such forfeiture, Mr. Solomon will be entitled to convert each of the vested Class D units held by him to Class A units at a conversion price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit of Holdings at the time such Class D unit was originally granted. The conversion price for the Class D units held by Mr. Solomon is $1.18. In accordance with the Holdings limited partnership agreement, if Mr. Solomon’s employment is terminated by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the lower of cost or the fair market value of such units. If Mr. Solomon’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for cause, Holdings has the option to repurchase all units held by him at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such units.

Manager Compensation

The members of our general partner’s board of managers are not separately compensated for their services as a manager, other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with rendering such services.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

All of Norcraft’s outstanding limited partnership units are held by Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., which is in turn held entirely by Holdings. Norcraft GP is the general partner of both Norcraft and Holdings. Norcraft GP does not hold any equity interest in Norcraft or Holdings, but, as a general partner of each entity, it controls both entities. The members of our general partner are SKM Norcraft Corp., Trimaran Cabinet Corp. and HMB Norcraft Corp.

The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2009 with respect to the beneficial ownership of the limited partnership interests of Holdings by (i) each holder known by us who beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding limited partnership units of Holdings, (ii) each of the members of the board of managers of the general partner of Holdings, (iii) each of our named executive officers and (iv) all of the members of the board of managers of Norcraft GP and our executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated in a footnote, the business address of each equity holder is our corporate address.

 

Name of Partner

   Class A
Units (1)
    Percentage
Ownership
Interest
Class A
    Class B
Units (2)
    Percentage
Ownership
Interest
Class B
    Class D
Units (3)
    Percentage
Ownership
Interest
Class D
 

Norcraft GP, L.L.C.

   —   (4)    —        —   (4)    —        —   (4)    —     

SKM Norcraft Corp. (5)

   75,950,957      56.6   —        —        —        —     

Trimaran Cabinet Corp. (6)

   37,975,478      28.3   —        —        —        —     

Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. (7)

   15,500,000      11.6   —        —        —        —     

Mark Buller

   —   (8)    —        —        —        2,613,292 (9)    45.4

Leigh Ginter

   171,633      *      350,000      28.0   311,527      5.6

John Swedeen

   472,000      *      200,000      16.0   232,085      4.0

Kurt Wanninger

   157,306      *      —        —        843,443      16.5

Simon Solomon

   1,298,541      1.0   —        —        155,825      3.0

Christopher Reilly

   —   (10)    —        —        —        —        —     

David Kim

   —   (11)    —        —        —        —        —     

Sean Britain

   —        —        —        —        —        —     

Jay Bloom

   —   (12)    —        —        —        —        —     

Michael Maselli

   —        —        —        —        —        —     

Herb Buller

   —   (13)    —        —        —        —        —     

All managers and executive officers as a group, including the 11 persons listed here.

   2,099,480  (14)    1.6   550,000      44.0   4,156,172      71.3

 

* Represents less than 1%.
(1) Class A units are fully paid non-voting units of Holdings. These units, together with the other limited partnership units described below, are entitled to receive all assets available for distribution upon liquidation. The holders of Class A units are entitled to receive distributions of their allocated percentages of our taxable net income to make tax payments.
(2) The holder of a Class B unit is also entitled to receive, contingent upon certain corporate events, a number of Class C units equal to the number of Class B units held by the holder. The combination of the outstanding Class B units and the contingent right provided by the Class C units provides rights and privileges consistent with that of a Class A unit holder.
(3) Class D units are “profits interests” issued pursuant to Holdings’ incentive plan. Distributions that would otherwise have been made on Class D units will be reduced to the extent of the applicable distribution threshold. These units receive tax distributions based on our net income allocated to them. Vested Class D units are convertible into Class A units at a price equal to the fair market value of a Class A unit at the time of the grant of the Class D unit. All Class D units remain subject to time and performance-based vesting.

 

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(4) Norcraft GP does not hold any equity interest in Norcraft or Holdings, but as general partner of each entity, controls both Norcraft and Holdings. Norcraft GP is controlled by its board of managers which is comprised of Christopher Reilly, David Kim, Sean Britain, Michael Maselli, Jay Bloom, Mark Buller and Herb Buller.
(5) SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. is the controlling shareholder of SKM Norcraft Corp. SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. is controlled by its general partner, SKM Partners, L.L.C., which is in turn controlled by its board of managers. SKM Partners, L.L.C.’s board of managers is comprised of Allan Karp and John Megrue.
(6) The shareholders of Trimaran Cabinet Corp. are Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C., Trimaran Parallel Fund II, L.P., Trimaran Capital, L.L.C., CIBC Employee Private Equity Partners and CIBC MB Inc. Each of these shareholders has given a proxy of its voting rights in Trimaran Cabinet Corp. to Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. is controlled by its managing members who are Jay R. Bloom, Andrew R. Heyer and Dean C. Kehler.
(7) Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. is controlled by Mr. Mark Buller and Mr. Herbert Buller, both of whom are members.
(8) Does not include 15,500,000 limited partnership units owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Mr. Buller, as a member and manager of Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C., may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Mr. Buller disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(9) Mr. Mark Buller holds all of his Class D units through MEB Norcraft, L.L.C., of which he is the sole member.
(10) Does not include 75,950,957 limited partnership units owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Reilly as a partner of the general partner of the majority shareholder of SKM Norcraft Corp. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Reilly disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(11) Does not include 75,950,957 limited partnership units owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Kim as a partner of the general partner of the majority shareholder of SKM Norcraft Corp. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Kim disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(12) Does not include 37,975,478 limited partnership units owned by Trimaran Cabinet Corp. Mr. Bloom as a partner of the general partner of the majority shareholder of Trimaran Cabinet Corp. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by Trimaran Cabinet Corp. Mr. Bloom disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(13) Does not include 15,500,000 limited partnership units owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Mr. H. Buller, as a member of Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Mr. H. Buller disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(14) Does not include 15,500,000 limited partnership units owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Mr. Mark Buller as a member and manager of Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. and Mr. Herbert Buller as a member of Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Both Mr. Mark Buller and Mr. Herbert Buller disclaim ownership of such shares except, in each case, to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also does not include 75,950,957 limited partnership units owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Reilly and Mr. Kim, as partners of the general partner of the majority shareholder of SKM Norcraft Corp. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by SKM Norcraft Corp. Mr. Reilly and Mr. Kim each disclaim ownership of such shares. Also does not include 37,975,478 limited partnership units owned by Trimaran Cabinet Corp. Mr. Bloom, as partner of the general partner of the majority shareholder of Trimaran Cabinet Corp. may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by Trimaran Cabinet Corp. Mr. Bloom disclaims ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

 

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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUR INVESTORS

The holders of limited partnership units of Holdings entered into a limited partnership agreement simultaneous with the closing of the Acquisition. The limited partnership agreement contains agreements among the holders of Holdings’ limited partnership units with respect to the transfer of such units, including rights of first offer, tag-along rights, drag-along rights, preemptive rights and registration rights. Units held by our managers and the investors associated with Mark Buller are subject to a right of repurchase by Holdings.

The Apax Partners and Trimaran holders and the Buller holders entered into a limited liability company agreement of Norcraft GP. Pursuant to this limited liability company agreement, each of the representatives of the Apax Partners holders who sit on Norcraft GP’s board of managers, currently Mr. Reilly and Mr. Kim, is entitled to cast 2.5 votes with respect to each matter which is submitted to a vote before Norcraft GP’s board of managers. The Trimaran holders designated two managers, and the Buller holders designated two managers, each of which have one vote. As a result, the managers appointed by the Apax Partners holders together hold a majority of the votes to be cast on each matter submitted to a vote before Norcraft GP’s board of managers. In addition, pursuant to the limited liability company agreement, the Apax Partners and Trimaran holders and the Buller holders have the right to approve certain transactions.

Upon completion of the Acquisition, we entered into a management and monitoring agreement with an affiliate of SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. and an affiliate of Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C. pursuant to which such entities provide management and monitoring services to us. These entities receive an aggregate annual management fee of $1.0 million and annual reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the provision of such services. In 2009, management fees charged to expense were $1.0 million.

ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE BULLER INVESTORS

In connection with their investment, the Buller holders are entitled to a right of first offer to purchase our company upon a decision by Norcraft GP’s board of managers to engage in a sale transaction. Any offer made by the Buller investors pursuant to any exercise of this right is required to be an offer which allows us the time to solicit additional competing offers that we may accept in the event they are at a higher valuation or on such other material terms and conditions more favorable to us than those set forth in the offer made by the Buller holders.

In consideration of their contribution of the Winnipeg facility, the Buller holders are entitled to receive additional cash payments of up to $4.0 million and the right to acquire up to approximately 2,957,068 Class A units of Holdings upon a change of control involving a sale by the Apax Partners and Trimaran holders exceeding specified financial hurdles, if our owners following such a change of control elect not to continue Mr. Buller’s employment with us.

The Buller holders receive salaries, bonuses, employee benefit, tax distributions and expense reimbursements from the Company.

OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

We have entered into various agreements with our named executive officers. See Part III, Item 11, “Executive Compensation.”

REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

Any material potential or actual conflict of interest or transaction between the Company and any “related person” of the Company must be reviewed and approved or ratified by the audit committee or, alternatively, the board of managers of Norcraft GP. SEC rules define a “related person” of the Company as any Company director (or nominee), executive officer, 5%-or-greater shareholder or immediate family member of any of these persons.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Company’s securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system that has requirements as to board composition. As the securities are not listed, the board of managers has made no determination as to whether or not any of its managers are independent directors as defined in the regulations of NASDAQ or the NYSE.

 

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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees for professional services billed by Grant Thornton LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and fees for other services billed by Grant Thornton LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during the respective periods.

 

Type of Fees (dollars in thousands)

   2009    2008

Audit fees (1)

   $ 257    $ 322

Audit related fees (2)

     —        —  

Tax fees (3)

     122      167

All other fees (4)

     171      3

 

(1) Audit fees consist of services rendered for the audit of the annual financial statements, including required quarterly reviews, statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and services that generally only the independent registered public accounting firm can reasonably be expected to provide.
(2) Audit related fees are for assurance and related services related to consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3) Tax fees are for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) All other fees are for services other than those in the previous categories.

All decisions regarding selection of independent accounting firms and approval of accounting services and fees are made by our audit committee in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules. There are no exceptions to the policy of securing prior approval by our audit committee for any service provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

1. Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements included on Page F-1.

2. Financial Statement Schedule. See Schedule II, which is included on page S-1.

3. List of Exhibits. See Index of Exhibits included on page E-1.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    NORCRAFT HOLDINGS, L.P.
    (Registrant)
    NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P.
    (Registrant)
/S/    MARK BULLER             /S/    LEIGH GINTER        
Mark Buller     Leigh Ginter
President and Chief Executive Officer     Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 31, 2010     Date: March 31, 2010
Signing on behalf of the Registrants and as principal executive officer     Signing on behalf of the Registrants and as principal financial and principal accounting officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrants and in the capacities as of this 31st day of March 2010.

 

/S/    HERBERT BULLER            Chairman of the Board of Managers of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Herbert Buller   
/S/    JAY BLOOM            Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Jay Bloom   
/S/    DAVID KIM            Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
David Kim   
/S/    MICHAEL MASELLI            Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Michael Maselli   
/S/    CHRISTOPHER REILLY            Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Christopher Reilly   
/S/    SEAN BRITAIN            Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Sean Britain   
/S/    MARK BULLER            President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of Norcraft GP, L.L.C., the General Partner of the Registrants
Mark Buller   

 

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Norcraft Holdings, L.P.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-7

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-9

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-13

Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-4

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-8

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-10

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   F-12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-13

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board Managers

Norcraft GP, L.L.C.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended. Our audit of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Minneapolis, MN

March 31, 2010

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Managers of Norcraft GP, L.L.C.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index on page F-1 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule appearing on page S-1 for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 15, 2009

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board Managers

Norcraft GP, L.L.C.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Norcraft Companies, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended. Our audit of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Norcraft Companies, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Minneapolis, MN

March 31, 2010

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Managers of Norcraft GP, L.L.C.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index on page F-1 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Norcraft Companies, L.P. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule appearing on page S-1 for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 15, 2009

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.     Norcraft Companies, L.P.
     December 31,     December 31,
     2009     2008     2009     2008
ASSETS         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20,863      $ 59,406      $ 16,731      $ 59,406

Trade accounts receivable, net

     17,987        18,535        17,987        18,535

Inventories

     16,380        20,599        16,380        20,599

Prepaid expenses

     1,629        1,810        1,629        1,810
                              

Total current assets

     56,859        100,350        52,727        100,350

Property, plant and equipment, net

     31,925        35,629        31,925        35,629

Other assets:

        

Goodwill

     88,421        88,421        88,421        88,421

Customer relationships, net

     39,332        43,798        39,332        43,798

Brand names

     35,100        35,100        35,100        35,100

Deferred financing costs, net

     7,483        4,584        6,908        2,820

Display cabinets, net

     5,394        7,069        5,394        7,069

Other

     70        62        70        62
                              

Total other assets

     175,800        179,034        175,225        177,270
                              

Total assets

   $ 264,584      $ 315,013      $ 259,877      $ 313,249
                              
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY         

Current liabilities:

        

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ —        $ 459      $ —        $ —  

Accounts payable

     6,626        6,688        6,626        6,688

Accrued expenses

     16,841        20,268        15,096        16,433
                              

Total current liabilities

     23,467        27,415        21,722        23,121

Long-term debt

     233,700        266,000        180,000        148,000

Unamortized discount on bonds payable

     (2,903     —          (2,903     —  

Other liabilities

     287        459        287        459

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —          —          —  

Members’ equity subject to put request

     7,546        25,305        —          —  

Members’ equity

     2,487        (4,166     60,771        141,669
                              

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 264,584      $ 315,013      $ 259,877      $ 313,249
                              

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.
     Year Ended December 31,
     2009     2008     2007

Net sales

   $ 246,804      $ 331,548      $ 394,042

Cost of sales

     176,512        234,427        263,500
                      

Gross profit

     70,292        97,121        130,542

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     49,706        64,789        76,012

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —          73,938        —  
                      

Income (loss) from operations

     20,586        (41,606     54,530

Other expense (income):

      

Interest expense, net

     26,340        24,694        23,618

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     4,084        1,532        1,540

Other, net

     1,678        151        200
                      

Total other expense (income)

     32,102        26,377        25,358
                      

Net income (loss)

   $ (11,516   $ (67,983   $ 29,172
                      

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.
     Year Ended December 31,
     2009    2008     2007

Net sales

   $ 246,804    $ 331,548      $ 394,042

Cost of sales

     176,512      234,427        263,500
                     

Gross profit

     70,292      97,121        130,542

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     49,706      64,789        76,012

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —        73,938        —  
                     

Income (loss) from operations

     20,586      (41,606     54,530

Other expense (income):

       

Interest expense, net

     15,050      13,341        13,104

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     2,895      1,063        1,111

Other, net

     36      151        200
                     

Total other expense (income)

     17,981      14,555        14,415
                     

Net income (loss)

   $ 2,605    $ (56,161   $ 40,115
                     

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     Members’
Equity
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Members’ equity at January 1, 2007

   $ 31,248      $ (55   $ 94,284   

Adoption of ASC 740

     (438     —          —     

Issuance of members’ interest

     562        —          —     

Stock compensation expense

     1,185        —          —     

Accretion of members’ interest subject to put request

     6,504        —          —     

Distributions to members

     (18,730     —          —     

Repurchase of members’ interest

     (1,966     —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     1        1        1   

Net income

     29,172        —          29,172   
            

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          29,173   
                        

Members’ equity at December 31, 2007

     47,538        (54     123,457   

Stock compensation expense

     229        —          —     

Debt conversion

     1,532        —          —     

Accretion of members’ interest subject to put request

     17,026        —          —     

Distributions to members

     (2,336     —          —     

Repurchase of members’ interest

     (68     —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (104     (104     (104

Net loss

     (67,983     —          (67,983
            

Total comprehensive loss

     —          —          (68,087
                        

Members’ equity at December 31, 2008

     (4,166     (158     55,370   

Stock compensation expense

     155        —          —     

Accretion of members’ interest subject to put request

     17,759        —          —     

Distributions to members

     4        —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     251        251        251   

Net loss

     (11,516     —          (11,516
            

Total comprehensive loss

     —          —          (11,265
                        

Members’ equity at December 31, 2009

   $ 2,487      $ 93      $ 44,105   
                        

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     Member’s
Equity
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Member’s equity at January 1, 2007

   $ 184,121      $ (55   $ 115,671   

Adoption of ASC 740

     (438     —          —     

Issuance of member’s interest

     562        —          —     

Stock compensation expense

     1,185        —          —     

Distributions to member

     (21,254     —          —     

Repurchase of member interest

     (1,966     —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     1        1        1   

Net income

     40,115        —          40,115   
            

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          40,116   
                        

Member’s equity at December 31, 2007

     202,326        (54     155,787   

Stock compensation expense

     229        —          —     

Distributions to member

     (4,553     —          —     

Repurchase of member interest

     (68     —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (104     (104     (104

Net loss

     (56,161     —          (56,161
            

Total comprehensive loss

     —          —          (56,265
                        

Member’s equity at December 31, 2008

     141,669        (158     99,522   

Stock compensation expense

     155        —          —     

Distributions to member

     (83,909     —          —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     251        251        251   

Net income

     2,605        —          2,605   
            

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          2,856   
                        

Member’s equity at December 31, 2009

   $ 60,771      $ 93      $ 102,378   
                        

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ (11,516   $ (67,983   $ 29,172   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment

     5,794        6,291        5,461   

Amortization:

      

Customer relationships

     4,466        4,467        4,466   

Deferred financing costs

     4,084        1,532        1,540   

Display cabinets

     5,348        7,096        6,703   

Discount amortization/accreted interest

     30        —          —     

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —          73,938        —     

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     1,121        2,144        1,636   

Provision for obsolete and excess inventory

     1,412        591        638   

Provision for warranty claims

     2,001        3,279        3,577   

Accreted interest on senior notes

     —          7,228        10,060   

Stock compensation expense

     155        229        1,185   

Gain on involuntary asset disposal (fire)

     —          —          (442

Loss on debt extinguishment

     1,642        —          —     

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     189        (1     234   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Trade accounts receivable

     (344     6,139        7,246   

Inventories

     2,912        2,750        (2,613

Prepaid expenses

     191        317        (241

Other assets

     (8     17        83   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (6,056     (5,691     (5,837
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     11,421        42,343        62,868   

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     5        70        26   

Insurance proceeds from involuntary asset disposal (fire)

     —          —          496   

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (2,034     (3,047     (6,945

Additions to display cabinets

     (3,673     (4,091     (7,774
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,702     (7,068     (14,197

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings on senior secured second lien notes payable

     177,067        —          —     

Payment of financing costs

     (7,122     —          —     

Payment on term loans to former equity holders

     (459     (1,959     (1,960

Repurchase of notes payable

     (213,803     —          (2,000

Proceeds from issuance of member interests

     —          —          562   

Repurchase of members’ interests

     —          (68     (1,966

Contributions from (distributions to) members

     4        (2,336     (18,730
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (44,313     (4,363     (24,094

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     51        85        (96
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (38,543     30,997        24,481   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period

     59,406        28,409        3,928   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 20,863      $ 59,406      $ 28,409   
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 29,267      $ 14,375      $ 14,475   

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:

      

Members’ interest issue for consideration other than cash

   $ —        $ 1,532      $ —     

Change in equity subject to put request

   $ (17,759   $ (17,026   $ (6,504

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 2,605      $ (56,161   $ 40,115   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment

     5,794        6,291        5,461   

Amortization:

      

Customer relationships

     4,466        4,467        4,466   

Deferred financing costs

     2,895        1,063        1,111   

Display cabinets

     5,348        7,096        6,703   

Discount amortization/accreted interest

     30        —          —     

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —          73,938        —     

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     1,121        2,144        1,636   

Provision for obsolete and excess inventory

     1,412        591        638   

Provision for warranty claims

     2,001        3,279        3,577   

Stock compensation expense

     155        229        1,185   

Gain on involuntary asset disposal (fire)

     —          —          (442

Loss on disposal of assets

     189        (1     234   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Trade accounts receivable

     (344     6,139        7,246   

Inventories

     2,912        2,750        (2,613

Prepaid expenses

     191        317        (241

Other assets

     (8     17        83   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (3,966     (9,558     (5,837
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     24,801        42,601        63,322   

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     5        70        26   

Insurance proceeds from involuntary asset disposal (fire)

     —          —          496   

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (2,034     (3,047     (6,945

Additions to display cabinets

     (3,673     (4,091     (7,774
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,702     (7,068     (14,197

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings on senior secured second lien notes payable

     177,067        —          —     

Payment of financing costs

     (6,983     —          —     

Repurchase of notes payable

     (148,000     —          (2,000

Proceeds from issuance of member interests

     —          —          562   

Repurchase of members interests

     —          (68     (1,966

Distributions to member

     (83,909     (4,553     (21,254
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (61,825     (4,621     (24,658

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     51        85        (96
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (42,675     30,997        24,371   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period

     59,406        28,409        4,038   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 16,731      $ 59,406      $ 28,409   
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 17,977      $ 10,250      $ 14,021   

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(dollar amounts in thousands)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements are those of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. (“Holdings”) and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries Norcraft Companies, L.P. (“Norcraft”). Holdings and Norcraft are collectively referred to as the “Company”.

The consolidated financial statements of Holdings include the accounts of its 100% owned subsidiaries, Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., which is the immediate parent of Norcraft, and Norcraft Capital Corp. In August 2004, Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. issued $118.0 million of 9 3/4% senior discount notes for gross proceeds of $80.3 million. Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. are the sole obligors of these notes. In March 2009, Norcraft distributed approximately $5.7 million to Holdings to enable it to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes. On April 3, 2009, as described in Note 6 below, Norcraft distributed an additional $10.0 million to Holdings to enable it to make future cash interest payments on these notes. On September 1, 2009, a cash interest payment of approximately $5.7 million was made for these notes out of the $10.0 million. In December 2009, $64.3 million of the senior discount notes were repurchased resulting in a loss from debt extinguishment of $1.6 million. Other than the remaining $53.7 million of the senior discount notes, cash, related deferred issuance costs, related interest and amortization expense and related debt extinguishment loss, all other assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows of the consolidated financial statements of Holdings presented for all periods represent those of its wholly-owned subsidiary Norcraft.

Norcraft GP, L.L.C. (“Norcraft GP”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of Holdings and Norcraft. Norcraft GP does not hold any equity interest in Holdings or Norcraft, but as a general partner of each entity, it controls both entities. The members of Norcraft GP are SKM Norcraft Corp., Trimaran Cabinet Corp. and Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. Norcraft GP has not been capitalized and has no assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2009 or 2008. Furthermore, Norcraft GP has no commitment to fund cash flow deficits or furnish direct or indirect financial assistance to the Company.

Unless separately stated, the information in the notes herein relate to both Holdings and Norcraft.

2. Nature of Company

The Company is a manufacturer and national distributor of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry to dealers, wholetailers who sell to end users in the repair and remodeling and new home construction markets, contractors, builders and home centers. Manufacturing is conducted from owned premises located in Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and Winnipeg, Canada.

The Company has aggregated its three significant operating segments into one reportable segment, based on similar products, production processes, types of customers, distribution methods and economic characteristics.

3. Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash and cash equivalents, the Company considers all highly liquid investments having maturities when acquired of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents included a money market account with a balance of $45.9 million.

A substantial portion of the Company’s cash is held by a single financial institution. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents exceed federal deposit insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Accounts Receivable and Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company’s customers operate in the repair and remodeling and new home construction markets; accordingly, their credit worthiness is affected by cyclical trends and general conditions in those markets. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited to some extent by its large number of customers and their geographic dispersion. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers, but does maintain allowances for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable based on historical experience and specifically identified at-risk accounts. The adequacy of the allowance is evaluated on an ongoing and periodic basis and adjustments are made in the period in which a change in condition occurs. A customer is considered past due after the contractual due date is not met and charge-off occurs when the account is deemed uncollectable. The Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 17.2%, 16.6% and 11.8% of net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Inventories

The Company states inventory at the lower of cost or market with cost established using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company makes provisions for estimated obsolete or excess inventories based on historical experience, market conditions and other assumptions and judgment by management. Estimated losses for such obsolete or excess inventory are recorded in the periods in which those conditions arise.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend lives of assets are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives: buildings and leasehold improvements – 20 years or the life of the underlying lease, factory equipment – 7 years, vehicles – 5 years, office and data processing equipment – 3 to 5 years. The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in operations.

Display Cabinets

The cost of cabinetry displays are capitalized when provided to the Company’s dealers and are amortized over 36 months, which represents the period they are expected to be on display for customer viewing.

Other Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets consist of customer relationships. The customer relationship intangible asset is being amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 15 years based on historical and expected customer attrition rates. Straight-line amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of cost of the intangible asset to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting period.

Amortization expense related to customer relationships of $4.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is expected to be $4.5 million per year.

It is the Company’s policy to value intangible assets at unamortized cost. Management reviews the valuation and amortization of intangible assets and the estimated useful lives of its identifiable intangible assets on a periodic basis, taking into consideration any events or circumstances which might result in diminished fair value or revised useful life.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following:

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
 

Customer relationships

   $ 67,000    $ (27,668   $ 67,000    $ (23,202

Deferred financing costs

     8,590      (1,107     16,386      (11,802
                              

Total

   $ 75,590    $ (28,775   $ 83,386    $ (35,004
                              

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
 

Customer relationships

   $ 67,000    $ (27,668   $ 67,000    $ (23,202

Deferred financing costs

     6,982      (74     12,853      (10,033
                              

Total

   $ 73,982    $ (27,742   $ 79,853    $ (33,235
                              

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Indefinite-lived assets are brand names, consisting of Mid Continent®, UltraCraft®, StarMark® and Fieldstone®, and are considered indefinite lived intangible assets. Indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized. Instead, the Company makes annual assessments, or as events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, separately from goodwill, to evaluate realizability of carrying values.

The Company’s significant reporting units for the purpose of performing the impairment analysis tests for goodwill consist of Mid Continent, UltraCraft and StarMark. For the purpose of performing the required goodwill impairment tests, the Company primarily applies a present value (discounted cash flow) method to determine the fair value of the reporting units with goodwill. The Company performs an annual impairment test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter.

The Company’s reporting units are composed of either a discrete business or an aggregation of businesses with similar economic characteristics. Certain factors may result in the need to perform an impairment test prior to the fourth quarter, including significant underperformance of the Company’s business relative to expected operating results, significant adverse economic and industry trends, and a decision to divest an individual business within a reporting unit.

Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process.

 

   

The first step is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step of the process is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any.

 

   

The second step, if necessary, compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units, using various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow analysis. A discounted cash flow analysis requires the Company to make various judgmental assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates. Assumptions about discount rates are based on a weighted-average cost of capital derived from observable market inputs and comparable company data. Assumptions about sales, operating margins, and growth rates are based on management’s forecasts, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. Assumptions are also made for varying perpetual growth rates for periods beyond the long-term business plan

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

period. Because of the increased uncertainty resulting from worsening global economic conditions, management’s revenue projections used in 2008 generally assumed reductions in 2009 and a period of recovery beginning in 2010. The revenue projection used in 2009 also assumed the beginning of market recovery in 2010, continuing into 2011.

Impairment Charge in 2008. The Company’s annual assessment for impairment resulted in an impairment charge in 2008.

The total fair value of brand names prior to impairment in 2008 was $49.0 million. An impairment charge of $13.9 million was recorded in 2008, for an adjusted value of $35.1 million.

The fair value of the indefinite-lived assets is determined for the annual impairment test using the Royalty Savings Method, which is a variation of the income approach. In 2008, a discount rate of 14.0% was used plus a premium of 1.0%. The premiums were based on the nature of the asset.

In the 2008 evaluation of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units, the Company assumed revenue declines for 2009 from 2008 reflecting a continuation of weakness in the home-building and remodeling markets. The Company then assumed revenue in 2010 to begin to show recovery. In 2008, the Company also assumed a discount rate of 14.0% and a perpetual growth rate of 2.0%. These rates reflected the market conditions in the respective periods.

The Company’s first step impairment analysis for 2008 indicated that the fair value of the Mid Continent and UltraCraft reporting units did not exceed their carrying values. The impairment test and subsequent valuation resulted in a total impairment charge of $73.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Of the total impairment charge recorded in 2008, $60.0 million was attributable to goodwill and $13.9 million was attributable to brand names.

No Impairment Charge in 2009. The Company’s annual assessment for impairment did not result in an impairment charge in 2009.

In the 2009 evaluation of the fair value of all the Company’s reporting units, the Company assumed revenue in 2010 to begin to show recovery and 2011 to continue this recovery. In 2009, the Company also assumed a discount rate of 16.3% and a perpetual growth rate of 3.7%. These rates reflected the market conditions in the respective periods.

The fair value of the indefinite-lived assets is determined for the annual impairment test using the Royalty Savings Method, which is a variation of the income approach. In 2009, a discount rate of 14.3% was used plus a premium of 2.0%. The premiums were based on the nature of the asset.

The Company’s first step impairment analysis for 2009 indicated that the fair value of the reporting units approximated or exceeded their carrying values. The impairment test resulted in no impairment charge in 2009.

A summary of impairment charges by reporting unit and year is as follows:

 

     Brand Names     Goodwill  
     Mid
Continent
    UltraCraft     StarMark     Total     Mid
Continent
    UltraCraft     StarMark    Total  

Balance 12/31/2007

   $ 28,700      $ 7,500      $ 12,800      $ 49,000      $ 90,507      $ 11,691      $ 46,261    $ 148,459   

Impairment

     (7,700     (3,900     (2,300     (13,900     (51,911     (8,127     —        (60,038
                                                               

Balance 12/31/2008

     21,000        3,600        10,500        35,100        38,596        3,564        46,261      88,421   

Impairment

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —        —     
                                                               

Balance 12/31/2009

   $ 21,000      $ 3,600      $ 10,500      $ 35,100      $ 38,596      $ 3,564      $ 46,261    $ 88,421   
                                                               

Intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of the following:

 

     December 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Goodwill

   $ 88,421    $ 88,421

Brand names

     35,100      35,100
             

Total

   $ 123,521    $ 123,521
             

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Deferred Financing Costs

Debt issuance costs are deferred and amortized to deferred financing expense using the interest method over the terms of the related debt. Holdings’ amortization of such costs for the fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled approximately $4.1 million, $1.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Norcraft’s amortization of such costs for the fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled approximately $3.0 million, $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Future estimated aggregate amortization expense at December 31, 2009 is as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Norcraft
Holdings, L.P.
   Norcraft
Companies, L.P.

2010

   1,415    1,203

2011

   1,416    1,203

2012

   1,353    1,203

2013

   1,203    1,203

2014

   1,189    1,189

2015

   907    907

Foreign Currency Translation/Transactions

The financial statements of the Company’s Canadian subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidation. All assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates and statements of operations items are translated using average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of members’ equity. Also recorded as translation adjustments in members’ equity (deficit) are transaction gains and losses on long-term intercompany balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future. Other foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in determining net income, but have not been material in any of the periods presented.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon delivery of product, which represents the point at which ownership transfers to the customer. Net sales represent gross sales less deductions taken for sales returns, freight charge backs and incentive rebate programs. These deductions are based on historical experience, market conditions and terms of the applicable marketing agreements with the customers. Taxes collected from customers are not included in revenue, but are recorded as liability until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company classifies freight chargeback billings to customers as a component of net sales in the statements of operations and the related cost is included as a component of cost of sales.

Advertising

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense was $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Volume-Based Incentives

These incentives typically involve rebates or refunds of a specified amount of cash consideration that are redeemable only if the customer completes a specified cumulative level of sales transactions. Under incentive programs of this nature, the Company estimates the anticipated rebate to be paid and allocates a portion of the estimated cost of the rebate to each underlying sales transaction with the customer. The estimated rebates are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period of sale based on historical redemption rates.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Marketing Programs

Under these arrangements the Company agrees to reimburse certain of its customers for a portion of the costs incurred by the customer to advertise and promote certain of the Company’s products. The Company recognizes the cost of cooperative advertising programs in the period in which the advertising and promotional activity takes place. The actual costs of these programs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.

Product Warranties

The Company provides warranties for its products ranging from five years up to the life of the product. Estimated costs to be incurred for such warranties are provided for in the period of sale based on historical claim rates as a component of cost of sales in the statements of operations. (See Note 4, “Supplemental Financial Statement Information”)

Income Taxes

The Company consists of two limited partnerships, whereby income is allocated to its limited partners for inclusion in their respective tax returns. Accordingly, no liability or provision for federal income taxes and deferred income taxes attributable to the Company’s operations are included in the accompanying financial statements. While the Company is subject to various state and local taxes at the entity level and files income tax returns in various jurisdictions, these amounts have historically been insignificant. The Company classifies taxes, interest and penalties as a component of other expense.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

4. Supplemental Financial Statement Information

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable consists of the following:

 

     2009     2008  

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 18,985      $ 20,557   

Less: allowance for uncollectible accounts

     (998     (2,022
                

Trade accounts receivable, net

   $ 17,987      $ 18,535   
                

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     2009    2008

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 11,173    $ 14,648

Work in process

     2,610      2,942

Finished goods

     2,597      3,009
             
   $ 16,380    $ 20,599
             

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Supplier Concentration

The Company purchased approximately 13.4%, 16.7% and 15.9% of its raw materials during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, from its largest supplier.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment for Holdings and Norcraft consist of the following:

 

     2009     2008  

Land

   $ 2,872      $ 2,872   

Buildings and improvements

     24,064        23,849   

Factory equipment

     28,057        26,716   

Vehicles

     269        243   

Office and data processing equipment

     5,745        5,978   

Construction in progress

     398        451   
                
     61,405        60,109   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (29,480     (24,480
                
   $ 31,925      $ 35,629   
                

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.    Norcraft Companies, L.P.
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

   $ 6,842    $ 6,104    $ 6,842    $ 6,104

Commissions, rebates and marketing programs

     2,457      3,145      2,457      3,191

Worker’s compensation

     2,005      2,510      2,005      2,464

Interest

     2,926      6,055      1,181      2,220

Other, including product warranty accruals

     2,611      2,454      2,611      2,454
                           
   $ 16,841    $ 20,268    $ 15,096    $ 16,433
                           

Product Warranties

Product warranty activity is as follows for Holdings and Norcraft:

 

     2009     2008     2007  

Beginning balance

   $ 635      $ 776      $ 871   

Accruals for warranties - current

     2,001        3,373        3,577   

Settlements made during the period

     (2,142     (3,514     (3,672
                        

Ending balance

   $ 494      $ 635      $ 776   
                        

Product warranty is a component of the “Other” category in the accrued expenses table above.

5. Income Taxes

The Company accrues interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. The Company recorded a reserve for unrecognized state and local tax benefits totaling $0.4 million as an increase to other long-term liabilities, with a corresponding decrease to retained earnings. The transition adjustment included $0.2 million of interest and penalties, as of January 1, 2007. The Company’s accrual for these tax exposures was $0.3 million and $0.5 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

The Company is subject to tax examinations by tax authorities in numerous states until the applicable statute of limitations expire. The Company does not anticipate significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the next year.

6. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.    Norcraft Companies, L.P.
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Senior secured second lien notes payable (due in 2015 with semi-annual interest payments at 10.5%)

   $ 180,000    $ —      $ 180,000    $ —  

Senior subordinated notes payable (due in 2011 with semi-annual interest payments at 9%)

     —        148,000      —        148,000

Senior discount notes payable (due in 2012 with interest payable at 9.75%)

     53,700      118,000      —        —  

Unsecured notes (due in 2009 with interest at 8.45%)

     —        459      —        —  
                           

Total debt

     233,700      266,459      180,000      148,000

Less current portion

     —        459      —        —  
                           

Long-term debt

   $ 233,700    $ 266,000    $ 180,000    $ 148,000
                           

Future maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Norcraft
Holdings, L.P.
   Norcraft
Companies, L.P.

2010

     —        —  

2011

     —        —  

2012

     53,700      —  

2013

     —        —  

2014

     —        —  

2015

     180,000      180,000
             
   $ 233,700    $ 180,000
             

ABL Facility

In December 2009, in connection with issuance of the senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft entered into a new senior secured first-lien asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of December 9, 2009 (the “ABL Credit Agreement”) by and among Norcraft, as borrower, Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. and other guarantors party thereto, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and UBS Securities LLC, as arranger, bookmanager, documentation agent and syndication agent, and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as issuing bank, administrative agent and collateral agent, and UBS Loan Finance LLC, as swingline lender. The ABL Facility provides for aggregate commitments of up to $25.0 million, subject to a current borrowing base of approximately $14.3 million, including a letter of credit sub-facility and has a maturity date of December 9, 2013.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit the ability of Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. and its subsidiaries from (1) selling assets, (2) altering the business that Norcraft currently conducts, (3) engaging in mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations, (4) declaring dividends or redeeming or repurchasing the Company’s equity interests, (5) incurring additional debt or guarantees, (6) making loans and investments, (7) incurring liens, (8) entering into transactions with affiliates, (9) engaging in sale and leaseback transactions and (10) prepaying the senior secured second lien notes, the senior discount notes and any subordinated debt.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement will be guaranteed by Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., Norcraft Finance Corp., Norcraft Canada Corporation and all of Norcraft’s current and future subsidiaries, subject to exceptions for foreign subsidiaries to the extent of adverse tax consequences, and is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Norcraft’s and the guarantor’s existing and future property and assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, intellectual property, investment property, other personal property, owned real property, cash and proceeds of the foregoing.

As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility; however, there were approximately $5.4 million of letters of credit outstanding under the ABL Facility at December 31, 2009, and therefore, the Company’s total availability under the ABL Facility as of December 31, 2009, was approximately $8.9 million.

The Company has no unused letters of credit.

Senior Secured Second Lien Notes

In December 2009, Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Norcraft, issued, on a joint and several basis, $180.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured second lien notes (the “senior secured second lien notes”). Interest accrues on the senior secured second lien notes and is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year at a rate of 10  1/2% per annum, commencing on June 15, 2010. Proceeds from these senior secured second lien notes were used to redeem the 9% senior subordinated notes due 2011 and to make a distribution to Holdings to allow Holdings to repurchase a portion of the 9  3/4% senior discount notes due 2012.

Norcraft may redeem the senior secured second lien notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2012, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a premium declining ratably to par plus accrued interest.

At any time before December 15, 2012, Norcraft may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture with the offerings of proceeds of qualified equity offering at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest.

If Norcraft experiences a change of control, Norcraft may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest.

Prior to December 15, 2012, Norcraft may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium plus accrued interest.

Senior Discount Notes

On August 17, 2004, Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Holdings, issued, on a joint and several basis, $118.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity ($80.3 million gross proceeds) of 9  3/4% senior discount notes due 2012 (the “senior discount notes”). The net proceeds of this offering were used to make a distribution to Holdings’ limited partners. Norcraft Capital Corp. was formed on August 12, 2004 and has no operations. Interest accrued on the senior discount notes in the form of an increase in the accreted value of the note prior to September 1, 2008. Since that time, cash interest on the senior discount notes accrues and is payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year at a rate of 9  3/4% per annum. The first cash interest payment was made on March 1, 2009. In December 2009, $64.3 million of the senior discount notes were repurchased resulting in a loss from debt extinguishment of $1.6 million. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $53.7 million principal amount of senior discount notes outstanding.

Holdings may redeem the senior discount notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium, declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

If Holdings experiences a change in control, it may be required to purchase the senior discount notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the accreted value plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Additionally, the terms of the indenture governing the senior discount notes limit Holdings’ ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, make acquisitions, make other investments, pay dividends and make various other payments. The terms also include cross-default provisions. As of December 31, 2009, Holdings was in compliance with these provisions.

Holdings currently relies on distributions from Norcraft in order to pay cash interest on the senior discount notes. The indenture governing the senior secured second lien notes significantly restricts Norcraft and its subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to Holdings. Under the terms of the indenture governing the senior secured second lien notes, Norcraft may make distributions of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate to Holdings or Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. to pay interest and principal on the debt issued by them. In 2009, Norcraft distributed approximately $15.7 million to Holdings to enable it to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes. In addition, in December 2009, a portion of the net proceeds from the senior secured second lien notes offering were distributed to Holdings to allow Holdings to repurchase $64.3 million principal amount of its senior discount notes. Norcraft expects to make regular distributions to Holdings, subject to certain limitations, to permit Holdings to make further distributions to its equity holders to pay taxes on the Company’s net income allocated to them. There were no tax distributions for the year ended December 31, 2009. Tax distributions for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively.

The Company currently anticipate that the distributions permitted under the indenture governing the Company’s senior secured second lien notes will be sufficient to allow Holdings to make cash interest payments on the senior discount notes through September 2012. No assurances can be made that such amounts will be sufficient, however, and if Norcraft is not permitted to make additional cash distributions to Holdings, Holdings will be required to raise additional proceeds through equity or debt financings in order to fund such obligations. Such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.

Unsecured Notes

In September 2006, Holdings repurchased the equity interests of two former equity holders. Consideration for these repurchases was in the form of $2.0 million in cash and $5.9 million in unsecured notes payable (the “Unsecured Notes”). Principal on the Unsecured Notes was payable in three equal, annual payments. The first principal payment of $2.0 million was paid during September 2007 and the second principal payment of $2.0 million was paid during September 2008. On December 31, 2008, Holdings converted the unpaid principal amount and accrued interest of an unsecured note of $1,532,279 into 1,298,541.398 Class A units of Holdings at a conversion price of $1.18 per unit. The remaining note accrued interest at 8.45%, which was payable quarterly. On September 30, 2009, the final principal and interest payment was paid in the amount of approximately $0.5 million.

Historical

On October 21, 2003, concurrent with the Acquisition, Norcraft Companies, L.P. entered into a $70.0 million senior credit facility with third parties for up to $25.0 million in available revolving funds and a $45.0 million term loan with an original maturity of October 21, 2008, or the original agreement. Advance debt payments were made on this term loan, and it was repaid in full during 2005.

On May 2, 2006, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit facility with the same parties as the original agreement. The amendment increased the revolving credit facility to $60.0 million, removed the term loan facility, modified the interest rate and changed certain covenants. On March 27, 2009, the Company elected to terminate the amended credit facility.

On October 21, 2003, Norcraft and Norcraft Finance Corp., a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Norcraft, issued, on a joint and several basis, the $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes. Norcraft Finance Corp. was formed on

 

F-22


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

September 26, 2003 and has no operations. On August 21, 2007, Norcraft repurchased and cancelled $2.0 million of its senior subordinated notes at a purchase price of $2.0 million plus accrued interest of $55,000. In December 2009, Norcraft redeemed the remaining $148.0 million of its senior subordinated notes at a purchase price of $148.0 million plus accrued interest of approximately $2.5 million.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

The following represents certain condensed consolidating financial information as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for the issuers and for Norcraft Canada Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norcraft, which fully and unconditionally guarantees the senior secured second lien notes. In addition, the terms and conditions of the senior secured second lien notes limit Norcraft’s ability to pay dividends or other payments to Holdings. In this regard, the net assets of Norcraft are restricted assets of Holdings. As such, condensed financial information for Holdings (the parent company) is also presented. The information presented follows the equity method of accounting except for consolidated amounts.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2009

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
    Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Current assets

   $ 48,475      $ —      $ 4,252      $ —        $ 52,727      $ 4,132    $ —        $ 56,859   

Property, plant & equipment, net

     27,148        —        4,777        —          31,925        —        —          31,925   

Investments in subsidiary

     (1,529     —        —          1,529        —          60,771      (60,771     —     

Other assets

     184,346        —        213        (9,334     175,225        575      —          175,800   
                                                              

Total assets

   $ 258,440      $ —      $ 9,242      $ (7,805   $ 259,877      $ 65,478    $ (60,771   $ 264,584   
                                                              

Current liabilities

   $ 20,285      $ —      $ 1,437      $ —        $ 21,722      $ 1,745    $ —        $ 23,467   

Long-term debt

     180,000        —        9,334        (9,334     180,000        53,700      —          233,700   

Unamortized discount on bonds payable

     (2,903     —        —          —          (2,903     —        —          (2,903

Other liabilities

     287        —        —          —          287        —        —          287   

Members’ equity subject to put request

     —          —        —          —          —          7,546      —          7,546   

Members’ equity

     60,771        —        (1,529     1,529        60,771        2,487      (60,771     2,487   
                                                              

Total liabilities & members’ equity

   $ 258,440      $ —      $ 9,242      $ (7,805   $ 259,877      $ 65,478    $ (60,771   $ 264,584   
                                                              

As of December 31, 2008

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
   Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Current assets

   $ 98,732      $ —      $ 1,618      $ —        $ 100,350    $ —        $ —        $ 100,350   

Property, plant & equipment, net

     30,982        —        4,647        —          35,629      —          —          35,629   

Investments in subsidiary

     (1,000     —        —          1,000        —        141,669        (141,669     —     

Other assets

     183,855        —        213        (6,798     177,270      1,764        —          179,034   
                                                              

Total assets

   $ 312,569      $ —      $ 6,478      $ (5,798   $ 313,249    $ 143,433      $ (141,669   $ 315,013   
                                                              

Current liabilities

   $ 22,441      $ —      $ 680      $ —        $ 23,121    $ 4,294      $ —        $ 27,415   

Long-term debt

     148,000        —        6,798        (6,798     148,000      118,000        —          266,000   

Other liabilities

     459        —        —          —          459      —          —          459   

Members’ equity subject to put request

     —          —        —          —          —        25,305        —          25,305   

Members’ equity

     141,669        —        (1,000     1,000        141,669      (4,166     (141,669     (4,166
                                                              

Total liabilities & members’ equity

   $ 312,569      $ —      $ 6,478      $ (5,798   $ 313,249    $ 143,433      $ (141,669   $ 315,013   
                                                              

 

(1) Co-issuers

 

F-24


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS STATEMENTS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
   Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Net sales

   $ 236,492      $ —      $ 13,311      $ (2,999   $ 246,804    $ —        $ —        $ 246,804   

Cost of sales

     167,125        —        12,386        (2,999     176,512      —          —          176,512   
                                                              

Gross profit

     69,367        —        925        —          70,292      —          —          70,292   

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiary

     (780     —        —          780        —        2,605        (2,605     —     

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     48,028        —        1,678        —          49,706      —          —          49,706   
                                                              

Income (loss) from operations

     20,559        —        (753     780        20,586      2,605        (2,605     20,586   

Other expense (income):

                  

Interest expense, net

     15,019        —        31        —          15,050      11,290        —          26,340   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     2,895        —        —          —          2,895      1,189        —          4,084   

Other, net

     40        —        (4     —          36      1,642        —          1,678   
                                                              

Total other expense (income)

     17,954        —        27        —          17,981      14,121        —          32,102   
                                                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 2,605      $ —      $ (780   $ 780      $ 2,605    $ (11,516   $ (2,605   $ (11,516
                                                              

For the Year Ended December 31, 2008

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
    Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations    Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Net sales

   $ 330,603      $ —      $ 6,327      $ (5,382   $ 331,548      $ —        $ —      $ 331,548   

Cost of sales

     232,748        —        7,061        (5,382     234,427        —          —        234,427   
                                                              

Gross profit

     97,855        —        (734     —          97,121        —          —        97,121   

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiary

     (1,794     —        —          1,794        —          (56,161     56,161      —     

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     63,731        —        1,058        —          64,789        —          —        64,789   

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     73,938        —        —          —          73,938        —          —        73,938   
                                                              

Income (loss) from operations

     (41,608     —        (1,792     1,794        (41,606     (56,161     56,161      (41,606

Other expense (income):

                  

Interest expense, net

     13,341        —        —          —          13,341        11,353        —        24,694   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,063        —        —          —          1,063        469        —        1,532   

Other, net

     149        —        2        —          151        —          —        151   
                                                              

Total other expense (income)

     14,553        —        2        —          14,555        11,822        —        26,377   
                                                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (56,161   $ —      $ (1,794   $ 1,794      $ (56,161   $ (67,983   $ 56,161    $ (67,983
                                                              

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS STATEMENTS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
   Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.

Net sales

   $ 393,254      $ —      $ 12,522      $ (11,734   $ 394,042    $ —      $ —        $ 394,042

Cost of sales

     262,160        —        13,074        (11,734     263,500      —        —          263,500
                                                           

Gross profit

     131,094        —        (552     —          130,542      —        —          130,542

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiary

     (989     —        —          989        —        40,115      (40,115     —  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     75,603        —        409        —          76,012      —        —          76,012
                                                           

Income (loss) from operations

     54,502        —        (961     989        54,530      40,115      (40,115     54,530

Other expense (income):

                   

Interest expense, net

     13,098        —        6        —          13,104      10,514      —          23,618

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,111        —        —          —          1,111      429      —          1,540

Other, net

     178        —        22        —          200      —        —          200
                                                           

Total other expense (income)

     14,387        —        28        —          14,415      10,943      —          25,358
                                                           

Net income (loss)

   $ 40,115      $ —      $ (989   $ 989      $ 40,115    $ 29,172    $ (40,115   $ 29,172
                                                           

 

(1) Co-issuers

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
    Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 25,518      $ —      $ (717   $ —        $ 24,801      $ 70,529      $ (83,909   $ 11,421   

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     (7,268     —        (969     2,535        (5,702     —          —          (5,702

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     (61,825     —        2,535        (2,535     (61,825     (66,397     83,909        (44,313

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     —          —        51        —          51        —          —          51   
                                                               

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     (43,575     —        900        —          (42,675     4,132        —          (38,543

Cash, beginning of period

     59,366        —        40        —          59,406        —          —          59,406   
                                                               

Cash, end of period

   $ 15,791      $ —      $ 940      $ —        $ 16,731      $ 4,132      $ —        $ 20,863   
                                                               

For the Year Ended December 31, 2008

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
    Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 44,086      $ —      $ (1,485   $ —        $ 42,601      $ 4,363      $ (4,621   $ 42,343   

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     (8,417     —        (767     2,116        (7,068     —          —          (7,068

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     (4,621     —        2,116        (2,116     (4,621     (4,363     4,621        (4,363

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     —          —        85        —          85        —          —          85   
                                                               

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     31,048        —        (51     —          30,997        —          —          30,997   

Cash, beginning of period

     28,318        —        91        —          28,409        —          —          28,409   
                                                               

Cash, end of period

   $ 59,366      $ —      $ 40      $ —        $ 59,406      $ —        $ —        $ 59,406   
                                                               

 

F-27


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

     Norcraft
Companies,
L.P. (1)
    Norcraft
Finance
Corp (1)
   Norcraft
Canada
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Companies,
L.P.
    Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Norcraft
Holdings,
L.P.
 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 62,800      $ —      $ 522      $ —        $ 63,322      $ 24,204      $ (24,658   $ 62,868   

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     (13,717     —        (877     397        (14,197     —          —          (14,197

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     (24,658     —        397        (397     (24,658     (24,094     24,658        (24,094

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     —          —        (96     —          (96     —          —          (96
                                                               

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     24,425        —        (54     —          24,371        110        —          24,481   

Cash, beginning of period

     3,893        —        145        —          4,038        (110     —          3,928   
                                                               

Cash, end of period

   $ 28,318      $ —      $ 91      $ —        $ 28,409      $ —        $ —        $ 28,409   
                                                               

 

(1) Co-issuers

 

F-28


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

7. Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following tables present the carrying amounts and quoted fair market values of financial instruments at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The fair value of a financial instrument is deemed to be the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.
     2009    2008
     Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value    Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value

10.75% senior secured second lien notes

   $ 180,000    $ 180,000    $ —      $ —  

9.00% senior subordinated notes

     —        —        148,000      125,800

9.75% senior discount notes

     53,700      50,612      118,000      87,910

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.
     2009    2008
     Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value    Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value

10.75% senior secured second lien notes

   $ 180,000    $ 180,000    $ —      $ —  

9.00% senior subordinated notes

     —        —        148,000      125,800

The quoted fair market value of the financial instruments presented may not be indicative of their future values.

8. Members’ Equity

Holdings:

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were 134,173,458 Class A units issued and outstanding, respectively. Class A limited partners are entitled to one vote per unit held. As provided in the limited partnership agreement, income, gain, loss, deduction or credit are allocated to the members pro rata, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, except as required by the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The limited partnership agreement also provides for the Company to make estimated distributions to Holdings for payment of estimated federal and state income taxes arising from the Company’s operations.

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were 1,251,682 Class B units issued and outstanding. The holder of a Class B unit is also entitled to receive, contingent upon certain corporate events, a number of Class C units equal to the number of Class B units held by the holder. The combination of the outstanding Class B units and the contingent right provided by the Class C units provides rights and privileges consistent with that of a Class A unit holder.

Norcraft:

All of Norcraft’s member units are owned by Holdings.

Management Incentive Plan

Holdings has a management incentive plan, (the “Plan”) which provides for the grants of incentive Class D limited partnership units in Holdings to selected employees of the Company. Under the terms of the Plan, the Class D units generally begin to vest on December 31 of the first full year following the date of grant, with 50% of the units typically vesting over a five year period (time based vesting) and 50% vesting over a five year period subject to the Company meeting certain performance based criteria in each of those years (probability based vesting).

 

F-29


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Upon vesting, each Class D unit entitles the unit holder the option to purchase one Class A unit in Holdings. All Class D units will be issued with an exercise price equal to the then fair value of Holdings’ Class A units.

The fair value of the Class D units granted is based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, the Company is required to incorporate a volatility factor in the fair value calculation. The volatility factor is developed through the use of a sample of peer group companies consisting of publicly-traded companies that operate in the Company’s same industry. The Company did not grant any incentive Class D units during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Compensation expense related to Class D units was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Because individuals receiving these Class D unit awards are employees of Norcraft, the compensation expense is recorded at the Norcraft level.

The following table sets forth information about the fair value of the Class D unit grant on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted average assumptions used for such grant:

 

     2008     2007  

Weighted-average fair value of Class D units granted

   $ 0.45      $ 0.74   

Dividend yield

     0.0     0.0

Risk-free interest rate

     1.59     3.74

Volatility

     41.0     32.9

Expected lives

     4.80        5.00   

A summary of Class D unit activity under the Plan is as follows:

 

     2009    2008    2007
     Units     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Units     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Units     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Beginning balance

   4,841,323      $ 0.73    5,129,311      $ 0.83    4,743,047      $ 0.64

Granted

   —        $ —      97,391      $ 1.18    929,445      $ 1.36

Exercised

   —        $ —      (15,464   $ 2.27    (230,205   $ 1.15

Forfeited/expired

   (114,103   $ 2.22    (369,915   $ 2.21    (312,976   $ 1.63
                          

Ending balance

   4,727,220      $ 0.69    4,841,323      $ 0.73    5,129,311      $ 0.83
                          

Exercisable

   4,221,824      $ 0.56    4,294,240      $ 0.59    3,903,789      $ 0.63

The intrinsic values of the issued Class D units and exercisable Class D units at December 31, 2009 were $0.7 million. The Class D units vested during 2009 had no fair value. The total compensation cost of non-vested awards not yet recognized is $0.2 million.

The incentive plan and all Class D units will terminate in October 2013.

Members’ Equity Subject to Put Request

The limited partnership agreement of Holdings provides that certain employee equity Holders may request that Holdings repurchase limited partnership units upon their death or disability at the then fair market value. Following such a request, Holdings must use commercially reasonable efforts to repurchase such units, subject to limitations on the repurchase of equity contained in the senior credit facility and the indentures governing Holding’s and Norcraft’s notes payable, respectively. The fair market value of these units is recorded outside of permanent equity. Any changes in the fair market value of these units are reported as changes in members’

 

F-30


Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

equity subject to put request in the statement of members’ equity and comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were 21.5 million units subject to the put request and 20.2 million units subject to the put request as of December 31, 2007.

The fair market value of a unit is estimated by dividing the current equity value of the Company by the number of vested units outstanding. The equity value of the Company is based on the earnings multiple used in the Acquisition times trailing twelve months’ EBITDA plus net cash and liability positions.

9. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company sponsors a contributory defined contribution plan, established under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides, among other things, for the Company to make discretionary contributions. Company contributions to this plan during the year ended December 31, 2009 were minimal, while contributions to this plan for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

10. Related Party Transactions

The Company has agreements with affiliates of two of its majority limited partners, Apax Partners, L.P. and Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C., to provide management services to the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will pay a $1.0 million annual management fee plus reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred. The agreement expires upon sale to an unaffiliated third party of substantially all of the Company’s assets or interests. Management fees charged to expense as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses was $1.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

11. Leases

The Company leases its corporate office and distribution facilities under operating leases expiring on various dates. Certain lease agreements have terms for renewal or include rent escalation clauses. In addition to the base rent, certain leases require the Company to pay as additional rent a portion of the real estate taxes and common area expenses of the leased premises. Total rent expense was $2.8 million, $2.8 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company has historically entered and will continue to enter into leases of a temporary or short-term nature that do not extend beyond December 31, 2010 and that do not have future non-cancelable commitments.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2009, are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Amount

2010

   $ 2,196

2011

     1,399

2012

     621

2013

     401

2014

     382
      
   $ 4,999
      

12. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to legal actions and contingencies arising during the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

13. Unaudited Supplemental Quarterly Data

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 

2009

         

Net sales

   $ 61,296      $ 60,909      $ 64,672    $ 59,927   

Cost of sales

     45,323        43,445        44,387      43,357   
                               

Gross profit

     15,973        17,464        20,285      16,570   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     12,692        12,473        11,940      12,601   
                               

Income from operations

     3,281        4,991        8,345      3,969   

Other expense (income):

         

Interest expense, net

     6,353        6,309        6,315      7,363   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,182        290        289      2,323   

Other, net

     39        29        28      1,582   
                               
     7,574        6,628        6,632      11,268   
                               

Net income (loss)

   $ (4,293   $ (1,637   $ 1,713    $ (7,299
                               

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 

2009

          

Net sales

   $ 61,296      $ 60,909    $ 64,672    $ 59,927   

Cost of sales

     45,323        43,445      44,387      43,357   
                              

Gross profit

     15,973        17,464      20,285      16,570   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     12,692        12,473      11,940      12,601   
                              

Income from operations

     3,281        4,991      8,345      3,969   

Other expense (income):

          

Interest expense, net

     3,467        3,423      3,429      4,731   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,062        171      169      1,493   

Other, net

     39        29      28      (60
                              
     4,568        3,623      3,626      6,164   
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,287   $ 1,368    $ 4,719    $ (2,195
                              

 

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Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Norcraft Holdings, L.P.  
     First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 

2008

           

Net sales

   $ 87,631    $ 93,218    $ 84,020    $ 66,679   

Cost of sales

     62,985      64,863      58,884      47,695   
                             

Gross profit

     24,646      28,355      25,136      18,984   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     17,347      16,831      15,076      15,535   

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —        —        —        73,938   
                             

Income (loss) from operations

     7,299      11,524      10,060      (70,489

Other expense (income):

           

Interest expense, net

     6,015      6,272      6,097      6,310   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     380      382      385      385   

Other, net

     30      30      63      28   
                             
     6,425      6,684      6,545      6,723   
                             

Net income (loss)

   $ 874    $ 4,840    $ 3,515    $ (77,212
                             

 

     Norcraft Companies, L.P.  
     First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 

2008

           

Net sales

   $ 87,631    $ 93,218    $ 84,020    $ 66,679   

Cost of sales

     62,985      64,863      58,884      47,695   
                             

Gross profit

     24,646      28,355      25,136      18,984   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     17,347      16,831      15,076      15,535   

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets

     —        —        —        73,938   
                             

Income (loss) from operations

     7,299      11,524      10,060      (70,489

Other expense (income):

           

Interest expense, net

     3,275      3,447      3,227      3,392   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     266      265      266      266   

Other, net

     30      30      63      28   
                             
     3,571      3,742      3,556      3,686   
                             

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,728    $ 7,782    $ 6,504    $ (74,175

14. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification Topic (ASC) 350-30-35-1.A, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“ASC 350-30-35-1.A”). ASC 350-30-35-1.A amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under ASC 350-30, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“ASC 350-30”). The intent of ASC 350-30-35-1.A is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under ASC 350-30 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141(R) and other applicable accounting literature. ASC 350-30-35-1.A is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of ASC 350-30-35-1.A did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies, L.P.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855, Subsequent Events. ASC 855 is intended to establish general standards of accounting for, and requires disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 855 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (the Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Use of the new Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company has used the new Codification in reference to GAAP in this annual report on Form 10-K and such use has not impacted the consolidated results of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Norcraft Companies L.P.

Schedule II – Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Beginning
Balance
   Additions    Deductions     Ending
Balance

2009

          

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 2,022    $ 1,121    $ (2,145   $ 998

Inventory allowance for obsolescence

     2,204      1,412      (112     3,504

2008

          

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 1,862    $ 2,144    $ (1,984   $ 2,022

Inventory allowance for obsolescence

     1,908      591      (295     2,204

2007

          

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 1,094    $ 1,636    $ (868   $ 1,862

Inventory allowance for obsolescence

     1,579      638      (309     1,908

 

S-1


Table of Contents

Exhibit

  

Description

  3.1

   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Norcraft Holdings, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 12, 2004).

  3.2

   Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Norcraft Holdings, L.P., dated as of June 25, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2007).

  3.3

   Certificate of Formation of Norcraft G.P., L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4, filed on April 27, 2004).

  3.4

   Norcraft GP, L.L.C. Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4, filed on April 27, 2004).

  4.1

   Indenture with respect to the 9  3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2012 between Norcraft Holdings, L.L.P., Norcraft Capital Corp. and U.S. Bank, National Association as Trustee, dated August 17, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 12, 2004).

  4.2

   Form of 9  3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2012 (included in Exhibit 4.1).

  4.3

   Indenture with respect to the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 between Norcraft Companies, L.P., Norcraft Finance Corp., the Guarantors names therein and U.S. Bank, National Association as Trustee, dated October 21, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4 filed on April 27, 2004).

  4.4

   Form of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.3).

  4.5

   Subordinated Note Issued September 19, 2006, for the principal amount of $4,500,972.00, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Simon Solomon, IRA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008).

  4.6

   Subordinated Note Issued September 25, 2006, for the principal amount of $645,394.07, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Thomas Spencer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008).

10.1

   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2006, among Norcraft Companies, L.P., Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. the other Guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and UBS Securities LLC, as Lead Arranger, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Co-Arranger, UBS Loan Finance LLC as Swingline Lender, UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as issuing Bank, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and CIT Lending Services Corporation, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2006).

10.2

   Assumption Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2004, made by Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., in favor of UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the banks and other Lenders parties to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2003, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 12, 2004).

10.3

   Assignment of Interests, dated August 17, 2004, between Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 12, 2004).

10.4

   U.S. Security Agreement by Norcraft Companies, L.P., Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P. (as successor in interest to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.), Norcraft Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Collateral Agent, dated as of October 21, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Norcraft Companies, L.P.’s Form S-4 filed on April 27, 2004).

10.5

   Canadian Security Agreement by Norcraft Canada Corporation and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Collateral Agent, dated as of October 21, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4, filed June 27, 2004).

 

E-1


Table of Contents

Exhibit

  

Description

10.6

   Employment Letter, dated October 21, 2003, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Mark Buller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4 filed on April 27, 2004).

10.7

   Amendments to Employment Letter, dated August 17, 2004, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Mark Buller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

10.8

   Norcraft Holdings, L.P. Amended and Restated Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

10.9

   Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2003 by and among Norcraft Holdings, L.P., Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C., Mark Buller, David Buller, James Buller, Phil Buller, Herb Buller and Erna Buller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

10.10

   Amendment to Contribution Agreement Letter, dated August 17, 2004, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

10.11

   Amendment No. 2 to Contribution Agreement Letter, dated October 4, 2006, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-K filed on April 2, 2007).

10.12

   Amendment No. 3 to Contribution Agreement Letter, dated June 25, 2007, from Norcraft Holdings, L.P. to Buller Norcraft Holdings L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008).

10.13

   Management and Monitoring Agreement Letter, dated October 21, 2003, from Sanders Karp & Mergrue, LLC and Trimaran Fund Management L.L.C. to Norcraft Holdings, L.P. and Norcraft Companies, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

10.14

   Employment Letter, dated October 21, 2003, from Norcraft Companies, L.P. to Simon Solomon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4 filed on April 27, 2004).

10.15

   Employment Letter, dated October 21, 2003, from Norcraft Companies, L.P. to John Swedeen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form S-4 filed on April 27, 2004).

10.16

   Employment Letter, dated December 1, 2005, from Norcraft Companies, L.P. to Kurt Wanninger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Norcraft Companies, L.P. Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2006).

10.17

   Employment Letter, dated February 13, 2008, from Norcraft Companies, L.P. to Simon Solomon. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2009).

21.1

   List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to Norcraft Holdings, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 25, 2004).

31.1*

   Certification by Mark Buller pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

   Certification by Leigh Ginter pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*

   Certification by Mark Buller pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*

   Certification by Leigh Ginter pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

E-2